5 Important Facts and Figures for Young Drivers to Master

Despite the fact that members of Gen Z are slower to get their license than teens in the past, passing the driver's test is still very much a rite of passage. These days, 61% of 18-year-oldsSports Nascar 2021 08 04 Kids And Cars Todays Teens In No Rush To Start Driving 48148523 Story have a driver's license in the United States. 

And their parents still worry about them as they get that first taste of freedom on the open road.

Watching your teen pull out of the driveway alone for the first time can be nerve-wracking. Are they ready? Do they know everything?

It's hard to guarantee they'll know everything, but you can start by making sure they know these important facts about driving to make good decisions.  

1. 7 Teens Die in Car Crashes Every Day

You probably don't want to scare your teen out of learning to drive, but the fact is that teens are at much higher risk for car accidents than adults. According to the CDC, nearly 2,400 teens were killedTransportationsafety Teen_drivers Teendrivers_factsheet.html Cdctransportation.org in car accidents in 2019, and hundreds of thousands were injured. Inexperience combined with distractibility and a penchant for speeding makes for a dangerous combination.

The Upshot: Make sure to lay ground rules about curfews, friends in the car, and cell phone use to help keep your teen safe behind the wheel. 

2. 20% of Teens Get Into an Accident Their First Year Driving 

Not every accident is fatal. Fender benders happen, and they happen more often to young drivers. According to DoSomething.org, one in five 16-year-olds has an accidentFacts 11 Facts About Teen Driving#fnref9 Us in their first year of driving. Many accidents are small, but even a dent can be stressful.

The Upshot: Make sure your teen knows exactly what to do if they are in a car accidentTrending What Do After Car Accident Driversed.com. In addition to checking for injuries, they'll also need to move to the side of the road, call 911, and exchange insurance information with the other driver. Keeping a checklist in the glove compartment, along with the insurance details, can help.

3. Driver's Ed Gets You a 10% Insurance Discount

Speaking of insurance, teens get charged some of the steepest rates around. Fortunately, enrolling in a driver's ed course can earn new drivers a discount of up to 10%Resources Auto Central Insurance Discount Content Driversed.com on car insurance. 

The Upshot: Don't let your teen skip class! Online driver's edTeen Drivers Ed Driversed.comTeen Drivers Ed Driversed.com is an affordable way to make the most of your insurance company's discounts. 

4. Driving Over 50 MPH Is Expensive

Gas prices are soaring, and it won't take long for your teen to realize how expensive it can be to fill a gas tank. Driving faster than 50 mph gets costly: for every 5 mph faster you go, you can count on an extra $.30 per gallon in fuel costsTrending Old Car Gas Tips Driversed.com. Keeping speeds down is the best way to save.

The Upshot: If your teen is a speed demon, the economic argument could incentivize them to slow down and stay safe. 

5. You Have 2 Gallons of Fuel When the Light Comes on

When the fuel light comes on, do you know how far you can go? The average car has 2 to 3 gallons left in the tankTrending Understanding Your Dashboard Lights And What Do About Them Driversed.com at that point. With that information, you can calculate how far you can go based on your car's fuel efficiency. That's how long they have to get to the nearest gas station.

The Upshot: Teach your teen to keep an eye on the dashboard and plan ahead. If they do run out of gas, make sure they know what steps to takeTrending What Do If You Run Out Gas Driversed.com.

Knowing these facts — and their significance — should help your teen get ready for independent driving. Not sure if your teen ready for the road? DriversEd.com is here to help! Sign up for practice permit testsPractice Permit Test Driversed.com and teen driving classesTeen Drivers Ed Driversed.comTeen Drivers Ed Driversed.com today.