If you’re a parent of a driving-age or soon-to-be-driving-age teen, you’re probably – and rightly – concerned about their safety. Teenage drivers are involved in crashes at rates almost four times that of adult drivers. If you guessed that distracted driving and speeding are top causes, you’re right. Here’s an easy way to help improve your teen’s behind-the-wheel safety.
Use mobile phone technology to help keep your teen driver safe
Distracted driving is cited as a leading cause of teen driving accidents. But the same mobile phones that tempt teens to call or text while driving also offer features and apps that can reduce distractions. How? They can stop the distractions before they start.
Enable phone features
- iPhones offer a “do not disturb while driving” feature that suppresses calls and texts while the car is in motion. If your child has an iPhone, make this the default setting.
- Android phones currently include the “Android auto” mode. Pixel 2 and Pixel 3 versions have a sensor mode that identifies when the car is moving and allows the user to default to the “do not disturb while driving” mode. Other versions allow the user to manually block calls and texts until those features are enabled again.
Explore free safe driving apps*
The following highly rated apps are free and offer a range of features; some even automatically detect when the vehicle is moving and block calls and texts. Others offer parents the ability to monitor their teen driver’s driving speeds and location.
*This list is provided as a convenience to our readers and does not imply Electric Insurance Company’s endorsement or warranty of any of these products.
Get a free practice test
- DMV Practice Test by Zutobi (iPhone) (Android) is a very highly rated (4.8 stars) app that helps drivers prepare to get both their driver’s permit and their license. It features state-specific information, practice tests, and more than 450 test questions. A progress tracker helps keep your student headed in the right direction.
- DMV Permit Practice Test (Android) is another highly rated app (4.8 stars) that helps teens prepare for their driver’s permit and license exams. It includes 350 questions, state-specific information, and more. Wrong answers are corrected, with detailed explanations to help students understand the issue fully.
Learn more
How to keep your premium down if you have a teen driver on the policy
Three ways to help prevent teen accidents
Best vehicle safety tech for teen drivers
Contact us
Our Risk Coaches™ are licensed insurance professionals who are trained to look at coverage from your perspective. They will be glad to help you navigate the often-perplexing world of insurance coverage. Contact your local Risk Coach professional or call us at 800.342.5342 Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. ET.
