Half of all teens will be involved in an automotive crash and motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for 14- to 18-year-olds, according to the National Safety Council. Even though driving is the biggest threat to teenagers, only one in four parents identify hazardous driving or car crashes as their strongest safety concern.

National Teen Driver Safety Week is being honored Oct. 18-24 by the National Safety Council. Get the facts about teen driving and share some of the grim statistics with your teen.

AMERICAN INSURANCE wants to share some tips to reduce the potential of a crash. Here's a video from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration with some helpful information to remind our teenagers how to drive safe.

Some tips to keep in mind as you talk with your teenagers about safe driving habits are:

• No Drinking and Driving. Set a good example by not driving after drinking. Remind your teen that drinking before the age of 21 is illegal, and alcohol and driving should never mix, no matter your age.
• Buckle Up. Every Trip. Every Time. Lead by example. If you wear your seat belt every time you’re in the car, your teen is more likely to follow suit. Remind your teen that it’s important to buckle up on every trip, no matter how far or how fast.
• Put It Down. One Text or Call Could Wreck It All. Remind your teen about the dangers of texting or dialing while driving, and that the phone is off-limits when they are on the road. It’s equally important to model safe driving habits for your teen—you shouldn’t text and drive either.
• Stop Speeding Before It Stops You. Drive the speed limit and require your teen to do the same. Explain that every time your speed doubles, your stopping distance quadruples.
• No More Than One Passenger at Any Time. With each passenger in the vehicle, your teen’s risk of a fatal crash goes up. Check your State’s Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) law before your teen takes to the road; it may prohibit any passengers.
• (Courtesy National Highway Traffic Safety Association Talking Points)

If you have a new driver you need to add to your AMERICAN INSURANCE auto insurance policy, you can find the form to fill out here or contact us at 208-746-9646 to make that change.