10 Teen Driving Safety Tips

Handing over the keys to the car to your teen driver is nerve-wracking, for good reason: teenage driver safety is an important issue that requires attention from you and for them. Distracted driving is dangerous: in 2022, road incidents involving distracted driving claimed 3,308 lives. Teenage drivers have a higher rate of fatal crashes, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 

Clearly, teen driving safety is not a matter to take lightly. Farm Bureau’s Young Driver Safety Program can provide an important safeguard, and remember: our Driveology program cuts insurance costs for safe drivers by as much as 50%. Your teen’s life, as well as the life of others, depends on teenage road safety. 

Equip your teen with knowledge about teen road safety, the risks of teenage driving and the dangers of distracted driving with 10 safety tips to develop good driving habits. And let’s be honest: we could all use a brush-up, no matter our age.

1. Participate in a Safe-Driving Course

The more practice your teen driver has behind the wheel, the better prepared they’ll be for the unexpected. Check with your state’s department of motor vehicles to find an approved list of safe-driving courses. Often, these courses are taught in both online and in-person formats, making it easy to participate no matter your teen’s work or school schedule. And while you’re looking for ways to save, talk with your local Farm Bureau agent about our Young Driver Safety Program and Driveology.  

2. Limit Distractions

Distractions are everywhere, but most come from chirping and buzzing phones. Staying alert is an essential safe driving tip for teenage drivers, who may be tempted to respond to their phones while driving. Encourage your teen to get into the habit of turning their phone off and putting it out of sight every time they get into the driver’s seat whenever possible. Encourage them to join the thousands of drivers who have taken our Safe Driving Pledge (you can join, too!) and vow to focus on the road ahead. The text message can wait. 

3. Practice Driving at Night

Driving at night takes extra experience and additional skill. Visibility is lower, and the bright headlights of oncoming traffic can be disorienting — not to mention the risks that wildlife and other sudden impediments in the road can pose to safe driving. The key to safety is confident, attentive driving, and that takes repeated practice. Give your teen plenty of supervised opportunities to practice driving at night and in all kinds of weather and situations before allowing them to take the wheel alone in the dark.

4. Obey the Speed Limit

Excessive speed is a significant factor in many traffic fatalities. Your teen, who is relatively new to driving, might not yet understand how to intuitively “feel” the speed they’re driving or how to accelerate and brake properly. Lead by example: Watch your speed when you are behind the wheel and help monitor your teen’s speed when you’re riding along. In situations where it’s appropriate, teach them to use your vehicle’s cruise control.

5. Watch the Weather

Teen drivers are especially vulnerable to bad weather conditions as they’ve not had much practice driving in low visibility conditions like snow, ice, heavy rain and fog. New drivers should learn that it’s smart to slow down, follow other vehicles from a greater distance than usual and get off the road when conditions are severe. 

6. Practice School Zone Safety

If your teenager is going to be driving to and from school each day, learning extra mindfulness while driving in school zone is a must — not just because it saves lives, but also because infractions often carry higher penalties in school zones. Encourage your teen driver to arrive 10 minutes early and leave later to avoid the mad dash in and out of the parking lot. Know the speed limit in the school zone. Always stop for school buses with flashing lights and be aware of students getting off the bus or crossing the street. 

7. Yellow Lights Mean Slow Down and Stop

When in doubt, hit the brakes. Attempting to outrun a yellow light is dangerous and can lead to awful accidents. When riding along with your teen driver, teach them to always practice caution when approaching yellow lights, which normally means slowing to a stop, rather than running the light.

8. Hands on the Wheel, Eyes on the Road

Drivers have the most control over their vehicle when both hands are on the wheel and their eyes are on the road. Make sure your teen knows how to hold the wheel properly and practices watching the road and checking mirrors. This will also help limit and discourage distracted driving.

9. Be Aware, Always

It takes just one driver to make one bad move for tragedy to occur. Always being aware of the cars around you — who’s entering a turning lane, who’s exiting a parking lot, who’s approaching you from behind, who’s turning at an intersection with pedestrians in the crosswalk — can help your teen avoid situations before they become accidents.  

10. Practice What You Preach

As an experienced driver, you should set a good example for your young driver. Demonstrate safe driving behavior by driving defensively, buckling up and avoiding distractions while you’re behind the wheel.

Safety First

Instilling safe driving habits and reminding teens to avoid distractions behind the wheel can help your young driver head in the right direction. Connect with your local Farm Bureau Agent to learn more about our Young Driver Discount.