Teen Safety During Homecoming Season

Posted & filed under Advice & How-to, Auto Safety, Teen Drivers.

The clocks have been changed back to Standard Time, twilight is coming earlier, and high school football is in full swing. Even though Homecoming season is winding down, it’s still a particularly dangerous time for teen drivers, who are often driving in the dark for the first time, in order to get to games or dances. In fact, it’s at just this time – their first few months of solo driving – when the crash rates for teenagers are significantly higher than usual.

For this reason, many insurance companies, among them GEICO, advise parents to remind their teen drivers of some basic safety tips. They include:

  • When you’re on the road, cell phones should be for emergency use only, and if you have to make a call, pull over to the side of the road before dialing.
  • Texting is an absolute no-no when you’re behind the wheel.
  • Limit the number of passengers in your car – more people means more distractions. Some states have laws restricting teens to having only one passenger with them at any time.
  • Stay focused on the road, and avoid eating, listening to loud music, or even talking with your friends while you’re driving.
  • Always wear your seat belt.
  • Don’t drink and drive.

Even the safest teen driver is still likely to be relatively inexperienced behind the wheel, so parents and other adult motorists are cautioned to watch out for teenaged drivers during Homecoming season.