The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) puts out a yearly list of new vehicle safety ratings with the safest cars earning the Top Safety Pick+ and the next tier of safe vehicles ranked as Top Safety Pick. Since new vehicles may be out of the family’s budget, a phone survey done of teen driver parents indicates that 83 percent of vehicles purchased for the teen driver are used/previously owned.

With this statistic in mind, IIHS also publishes a list of used vehicles that are more affordable for the teen driver, that are still deemed to be safe. There are two tiers (just as the new vehicles) indicating best choices and good choices with prices ranging from $2,000 all the way to $20,000. Finding a safe car within the family budget is a must when making the final decision.

How Does the IIHS Define Safety? 

There are 4 main principles that the IIHS uses to determine the level of safety for vehicles, which include:

Size and Weight of the Vehicle- The safety of the vehicle is directly proportionate to the weight and size of the vehicle. Because of this, there are NO mini cars or small cars on the suggested “safe” list.

Horsepower of the Vehicle- If you have a male teen driver, he may be drawn to cars that have a lot of horsepower, but ALL young drivers should stay away from vehicles with high horsepower as it may lead to high speeds while driving.

Safety Rating- Before a car earns any type of safety award, that car must have a high safety rating, which means during crash tests, it performs well in protecting the driver and/or passenger.

Electronic and Stability Control- This feature (ESC) is important because it helps the driver maintain control of the car when roads are curvy or slippery.

Also, it is recommended that you always check for any significant type of recalls on the car before you purchase it.

Make a Safe Purchase

So, while the color and size may be what your teen driver looks for when the search begins, you can do your research on the safety of the car. This way when your teen driver drives off the lot, you can rest assured you made a safe purchase. If you have any questions regarding the safety of your teen driver or your auto insurance policy, please feel free to contact our office at 866-869-3335. *For the full list of safe vehicles for teens, visit iihs.org.

The post What is the Best Vehicle for Your Teen Driver? appeared first on Paramount Insurance Agency.

The joys of summer (more freedom, feeling more carefree, better weather) can unfortunately create higher risks for teen drivers. Less supervision, fewer schedules, staying out later at night with friends can lead to more risk taking and irresponsible behavior.

So what’s a parent to do?

First, if you haven’t already done so, download the Parent/Teen Driver contract from my website and execute it with your teen. That way there will be no doubt that you have communicated your expectations (seat belts, telephone/texting, impaired driving, number of passengers, speed) for the privilege of driving.

Then, you might also take the time to review and require your teen drivers to review the many safety tips the NHTSA website provides for summertime driving. These range from maintaining and servicing your car correctly, to facts specific to children and teen driver safety. Have you ever wondered whether your used car may have missed an important recall notification? NHTSA provides a link where you can find out by just
keying your VIN.

Did you know that a child’s body temperature rises 3-5 times faster than an adult?

That’s one of the reasons it is so important never to leave a child alone in a car, or leave a car accessible to children at play. Make sure your teen understands this too.

As the weather improves, so does the number of motorcycle accidents. Teens and all drivers need to be especially cautious around motorcycles. Because they are so much lighter they can stop several seconds faster than a vehicle. That means you need to increase the following distance accordingly. Recognize that running into the back of a motorcycle is much deadlier than rear ending another vehicle.

Did you know that “Every 52 minutes someone in the US dies in an impaired driving crash”?

Driving safely and defensively requires your full attention. NHTSA’s new Safer Ride app can be downloaded from the iTunes store or Google Play. It facilitates calling a friend or a taxi to be picked up and helps users identify their location if needed.

Taking the time to review these sobering facts will hopefully encourage your entire family to drive more safely and thus be able to enjoy a truly carefree summer.

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Common Factors That May Lead to Accidents

There are many contributing factors that may increase the risk of an accident for teen drivers.  Regardless of how much driving your teen has done, there is still the inexperience-factor that each and every teen driver has!  Below are some additional factors, but not limited to:

•  Distracted driving (Texting and talking on cell phones)
•  Speeding
• Failure to yield the right-of-way at stop sign

Zone in on the Zones

You are supposed to travel safely when you are in a school zone, but do you think all teens do?  Not all people travel safely and slow down to the posted 25 mph speed limit signs in a school zone, so it should be a topic of conversation BEFORE school starts.  Don’t assume your teen is conscious of the school zones and the laws related to them just because he/she passes through them frequently.

BEFORE school starts, zone in on the school zones around the travel area of your teen.  Remind your teen of the 25 mph speed limit through those areas regardless of time of day, as well as safety at the cross walks.  Emphasize that a kid can run into your path in a split second so if you aren’t paying attention, it could be deadly!

Stop for Buses

There is no way your teen driver can avoid school buses while your teen is traveling to and from school, so please inform/review all school bus laws with your teenage driver.  Some factors to emphasize for safety include:

• Slow down when there is a school bus in front of you (never tailgate)
• Never pass a stopped school bus
• Watch for children getting on/off the bus

These are just some of the school bus issues you need to share with your teen to ensure all around safety on the roads.

Leave Your Distractions at Home

While it is easy to be tempted to answer that ringing cell phone, return a text, or change the song on the radio while driving, it is important to stress the importance of leaving these devices at home if they are impairing your teenagers driving.  The focus needs to stay on the road.  Your teen may need to be reminded of this on multiple occasions.  Also, remind your teen to leave the home in plenty of time to allow for traffic and school buses.

School is truly right around the corner.  We wish you and your family a safe school year!

The post Back to School Driving Tips for Parents and Teen Drivers appeared first on Paramount Insurance Agency.

You have a teenager who just turned 16 and off he/she goes to get their long awaited driver’s license. It is an exciting time for everyone in the family.  Suddenly your teen is able to drive the car to all of the practices, schools, and errands, freeing you up from all the driving you have done the last 16 years. What’s NOT so exciting is when something bad happens to your teen driver behind the wheel of the car.  Being aware of the 6 most dangerous mistakes that teen drivers make is your first step to promoting safety on the roads.

(1) Distracted Driving

Teenagers are easily distracted regardless of where they are; but being in a vehicle can be even more of a distraction.  When the phone rings, a text dings, or a change of a song on the radio, their eyes may divert to whatever is grabbing their attention at that point in time, taking their attention OFF THE ROAD.  According to distraction.gov, “11% of all drivers under the age of 20 involved in fatal crashes were reported as distracted at the time of the crash.” Don’t take your eyes off the road.  Those texts and phone calls can wait!

(2) Driving Under the Influence

The legal drinking age in North Carolina is 21 years old; however, many teenagers do consume alcohol and drugs and then get behind the wheel of a car.  Teenage drivers are beginners on the road and no matter how much driver’s education they receive, they are still inexperienced.  Add drugs or alcohol to the equation, and the risk for an accident goes up substantially.  The leading cause of death for teens is auto accidents and one-third of those are alcohol related. Driving while under the influence (DUI) is not only illegal, but also can impair your teen’s judgment and reaction time while operating a vehicle.  The results can be DEADLY!

(3) Speeding

All too often, we read about teenage fatalities resulting from speeding on the roads.  Even more often than texting or talking on the phone, speeding causes more teen fatalities.  Speeding is the contributing cause in one out of every three fatal accidents, according to the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration.  Teenagers need to be aware of the posted speed limits on the roads and highways and obey these rules.  It could cost them their life or someone else’s life if they don’t.

(4) Not Wearing Seat Belts

In North Carolina, it is a legal requirement to buckle up when you operate a vehicle; however, many teen drivers do NOT!  The number one cause of teen deaths is the result of auto accidents; however, wearing a seat belt can reduce the chance of fatalities occurring.  According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), only 76% of teens regularly use their seat belt.  The law is in place for safety reasons and is enforced. Buckle up for safety!

(5) Overcorrection

Your teen driver may have driving experience and a successful completion of their driver’s education course; however, they are still young and inexperienced!  It is common for teens, in order to avoid an accident, to overcorrect their vehicle, resulting in fatalities. For example, if the teen is following too closely to the car in front of them, and that car suddenly stops, the teenager may swerve too hard, forcing their vehicle into an oncoming lane or off the road into a tree. The end result of this is NEVER good.  It is important that your teen driver be informed of the many situations that may occur when driving and to stay calm.  Teen drivers tend to panic when something quick happens and it can lead to very serious accidents and fatalities!

(6) Following Too Closely

The rule of thumb for drivers is to allow one car length for every 10 mph you are travelling on the road, and more depending on the road conditions (ex: rain, snow, etc.).  It is important that teen drivers know this information because they are inexperienced and if traffic stops suddenly, your teen may not have enough time to react and plow into the car ahead.  Having the proper amount of space between your teen’s car and the next one is important for road safety.

Having a teen driver in the family can still be an exciting time as long as you are informative of your expectations, road regulations and laws. Discussing the 6 most common, deadly mistakes that teenagers make should make everyone feel more educated and relaxed.  Teaching your teens to stay focused and attentive to the road is HUGE.  It’s a matter of life or death!

The post The 6 Most Dangerous Mistakes That Teen Drivers Make appeared first on Paramount Insurance Agency.

Stay Out of Truck Blind Spots or “No Zones”– Just as your car has blind spots, there are larger areas on both sides of a truck that the driver cannot see. If you cannot see their eyes in their mirrors, they cannot see you. Truck drivers can see more on the left side so it is best to pass them on the left and never just stay on the right side of a truck. Either slow down or pass them, then get out of their way.

Allow as Much Distance Away From Trucks as Possible– These large rigs can present many dangers from all directions. First, it takes up to 100 yards for a tractor trailer to stop (depending on it’s speed). When passing, do not pull into their lane until you can see their headlights in your rear view mirror. Give 20 to 25 car lengths between you and the truck when following. This will allow you to see ahead of the truck for any possible slow downs or stops in traffic. Never drive along side of a truck without passing. When tires blow, they become massive projectiles and can shoot right into your windshield.

Respect Big Trucks on the Highway– Always be extra cautious when you drive near tractor trailers. These trucks can weigh as much as 80,0000 lbs and are very difficult to control. It requires much more time to stop and more space to turn.

This is just one of the valuable lessons young drivers learn at StreetSafe. If you would like your teen driver to get the experience they need to become a safer, more responsible driver, go to www.streetsafeus.com to register for an upcoming event.

Check out our teen driving program here and let us help you get peace of mind knowing your teen is a safer driver plus get the right insurance protection at the lowest cost.

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Paramount Insurance proudly supports the StreetSafe Teen Driving Experience!

Word about the benefits of the StreetSafe teen driver safety program is spreading across the Triad and classes are filling up faster every month. Since StreetSafe came to the Piedmont Triad almost 5 years ago, the number of students getting this life saving experience has grown to over 145 during peak months.

There are a number of options for parents that can help their teens become safer drivers but what makes StreetSafe so unique is that the program was created and taught by emergency first responders. These are those professionals that work every day in keeping our roads safe and are there when tragedy occurs. They know first hand why accidents occur and are passionate about educating young drivers on how they can avoid making dangerous mistakes behind the wheel.

This four hour event focuses on the most common mistakes teen drivers make and gives them the experience of what happens when these mistakes are made but in a safe environment. Behind the wheel exercises include learning about the dangers of driving too close, driving too fast in a turn, distracted driving and driving under the influence. Students have the opportunity to climb into a tractor trailer to see how limited a truck driver’s vision is and how to avoid the “No Zone”. They will also learn about how their decisions can cause tragedy in a split second.

The StreetSafe teen driving program is offered monthly at Western Guilford High School in Greensboro, NC. The next event will be Saturday, March 8th. The 9am session is full and there is still room for the 2PM session. Register here.

Paramount Insurance is proud to support the StreetSafe teen driving program and believe that this program is saving lives!

The post New Session Added for March 8th StreetSafe Teen Driver Safety Program appeared first on Paramount Insurance Agency.

When I answered the phone, I knew instantly something was terribly wrong. He’s voice was strained and I could tell he was about to tell me something really bad. Then the words came out. “Tom, my son Chris died Sunday night in a car accident.” My heart sunk. There was a long pause and I could tell he was in the worst pain any father could ever experience.

I didn’t know what to say. Then he struggled to talk and began to break down. I tried to comfort him and told him, he needn’t worry about his insurance and the consequences of the accident right now. He had to concentrate on his family and I’ll handle the insurance issues.

You know, we hear about these stories all the time. Many more kids have died in accidents since and it reminds every time, that there is a mother and father going through the worst pain possible.

It’s just not right. Parents should never have to bury their kids.

You see, as an independent insurance agent, I protect the property and financial future of thousands of Triad families just like you. But it wasn’t until I received this phone call that I realized I wasn’t helping protect the most important thing in my clients’ lives- their children.

I Never Want to Get a Phone Call Like This Again!

Shortly after this phone call, I called a long time client and friend of mine. He was an accident investigator with the High Point Police Department. (He’s also the father of four drivers.) I asked him to stop by my office when he had a minute and that I had something to discuss with him.

Officer Jim Poer (now retired) has stopped by my office numerous times over the years just to chat. Most of our conversations were about accidents and many involving teen drivers. I have always known that he hated the part of his job when he had to work an accident involving teenagers. And the most dreaded part of his job is to have to knock on a parent’s door.

We decided that day in my office that there must be something we could do to help parents never have to experience losing their child.

So, Officer Poer and I teamed up to make a difference. We started by providing free seminars to parents and teen drivers educating them on the most common mistakes teens make behind the wheel and about the need for quality liability protection. After several of these seminars, I heard about a teen driving program in Wilmington, NC. I called the director of the program and asked if Jim and I could come down to watch it in action.

When we arrived on a beautiful Saturday morning, we watched the students arrive with long faces. It was the last place they wanted to be on a summer’s day within just a few miles of the beach. However, something very interesting happened. As the instructors began their presentations and the students got behind the wheel in the driving exercises, we saw the kids smiling, asking questions and having fun while learning some very valuable lessons.

It was then that Jim and I decided we needed to bring the StreetSafe Teen Driving Program to Guilford County. We approached District Court Judge Thomas Jarrell to see if we could get the program approved as an option for young drivers to reduce the penalties for driving infractions. Judge Jarrell went to work and got the support of the court system which now provides StreetSafe enough students to conduct regular monthly events. Of course, teens don’t have to get a ticket to come to the event. Actually, we want more kids to come before they make a mistake!

Every day 19 teenagers are killed in this country in car accidents. So, what causes these accidents?

It boils down to inexperience and the fact that they just don’t realize how dangerous a car really is. StreetSafe gives them the experience of what happens when mistakes are made. They learn what it’s like to lose control of a car, how distractions cause accidents and much more.

So, how can you prevent a tragedy happening to your family? Get your child to StreetSafe. Here’s their website so you can find out about the next event: www.streetsafeus.com.

The post Why we are committed to helping parents of teen drivers appeared first on Paramount Insurance Agency.

Here’s what your teen driver will experience:

The inside session features real life stories and videos of how teens destroyed their lives and others while driving carelessly, under the influence and making foolish decisions. Police drug and alcohol experts and accident investigators explain how in a split second, lives can be forever changed.

There are six exercises outside where they will get behind-the-wheel experience (in a controlled, safe environment) of what happens when an inexperienced driver makes the most common mistakes. Driving too close, driving too fast in a turn, distracted while driving, the effects of alcohol behind the wheel, not wearing a seat belt and driving too close to tractor trailers (a real eye opener).

Parents will spend 90 minutes with me and Judge Tom Jarrell learning about increased liability exposure with a teen driver and how you can protect your financial future should your teen make a costly mistake.

My goal is to fill up both morning and afternoon sessions to give as many teen drivers possible the knowledge and experience they need to drive safely and more responsible. Death by motor vehicle is the number one killer of young drivers.

Where: Western Guilford High School in Greensboro, NC
When September 8th 9am and (hopefully) 2pm
Cost: $55
Who can attend: Drivers 15 to 24 (must have a valid drivers license or learners permit)
How to register: Click Here

Parents rave about the quality of this program. After they see if for themselves, they comment about how StreetSafe should be REQUIRED for all new drivers. We agree, but for now, we need help promoting the program and do what we can to reach more young drivers. Please help us spread the word by sharing this on Facebook or pass on this link to your friends who are parents of teen drivers, especially those parents your teen may be riding with!

Thank you for your support!

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