With many drivers practicing bad behaviours on the road, it can be especially concerning if you’re a parent with a teen driver behind the wheel. According to a survey from CAA South Central Ontario, it found that 96 per cent of Ontario drivers have observed dangerous driving behaviours in the past year, including speeding (78 per cent), aggressive driving (69 per cent), unsafe lane changes (68 per cent) and distracted driving (67 per cent). Meanwhile, U.S. data from Consumer Reports suggests the crash rate for teens is almost four times higher than for drivers 20 years of age and older. So, parents want to make sure new drivers are driving the safest car possible. As for Consumer Reports, it agrees with the importance of selecting a safer vehicle. “Because young drivers are at such high risk, parents should buy a car with as much safety as their budget allows. Also, a teen driver’s first vehicle should not be too small, not too big, and definitely not too fast,” said Emily Thomas with Consumer Reports. Consumer Reports and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety in the U.S. analyzed makes and models to find safe budget-friendly car options. They identified 74 used cars that have performance and features designed to keep young drivers safe but that also have high levels of crash protection if the worst does occur. The Honda Civic, Toyota Camry and Hyundai Tucson made the list as popular picks. “For teen drivers, features like automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, and blind spot warning can provide them with an extra layer of protection while their experience is still developing,” Thomas said. What to know when adding new young driver to policy RatesDotCa told CTV News that new drivers have to be added to your vehicle’s insurance policy, and parents should expect a major increase in premiums. “We can see rates for teens as high as $5,000 or $6,000. The average is typically closer to $3,000 if the teen is the principal driver and the car is being used to commute to work or school,” said David Mayer, director of insurance and underwriting with RatesDotCa. To save on insurance, RatesDotCa recommends young drivers complete an accredited driver training program, ask about student discounts, choose the right vehicle and get quotes before purchasing. They can also bundle policies and explore usage-based programs. Keeping a clean driving record, avoiding tickets, and driving safely can also help keep your premiums from going up. Most insurance companies require that every licensed driver living with you must be named on the policy even as an occasional driver. While premiums for young drivers will usually drop at age 25, it’s only if they have a clean driving record.
