Parents have been teaching their teens to drive for over a hundred years. Sure, they get help now from driving schools, but parents are usually the first teachers for young drivers.

But, despite the fact that most adults have been driving for many years, it can be hard to know what to teach a new driver. As a driver with years of experience, driving comes naturally, without too much conscious thought. Trying to teach such automatic behavior can be hard.

Add to this the fact that, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, in the United States, the fatal crash rate per mile driven for 16-19-year-olds is nearly 3 times the rate for drivers ages 20 and over. This risk is the highest for 16-17-year-olds. The fatal crash rate per mile driven is nearly twice as high for these new drivers as it is for 18-19-year-olds.

So, here are a few rules to start with if you are teaching a new driver.

#1 Turn off the cell phone

• We’ve all heard the statistics and seen the public service announcements. Cell phones and driving do not mix. And for new drivers, this should be the first, number one, hard and fast rule. Turn off the phone. Put it in the glove compartment. Even consider leaving it at home to avoid temptation.

#2 Stay focused

• Driving requires focus. To stay focused, you must minimize distractions in the car. For new drivers, this means driving alone, keeping the radio low or off, and avoiding eating and drinking in the car while driving. The goal should always be to focus on the road and other drivers.

#3 Obey the speed limit

• Speeding kills. That’s why there are speed limits. An accident at 35 miles per hour usually has a very different outcome than an accident at 70 miles per hour. New drivers, whose reactions are not as developed as experienced drivers, should be especially careful about speeding.

#4 Avoid tailgating

• Related to speeding, tailgating is another accident-prone driving behavior. New drivers often want to go faster than the car in front of them and do not have the experience to understand what it takes to stop a vehicle. If the road is wet, if they are going fast, or if they are distracted they may not have enough time to stop.

#5 Avoid lane changes

• At least until a young driver is more experienced, avoiding lane changes is a good way to stay safe. Driving the car, staying in a lane, avoiding others, and then having to look over their shoulder when changing lanes can be daunting for new drivers. There are too many things to account for and this can lead to panic and accidents.

Once you’ve got them trained and are ready to add your teen driver to your policy, you may be shocked at the rates. Don’t worry. As your new driver becomes more experienced, their rates will come down. Meanwhile, you can use the InsuranceWins form to compare rates to compare rates and find the best car insurance policy for you and your family.

Most dogs absolutely love to ride in the car. In the old days, your dog would just jump in and sit anywhere they wanted to. But we know better now, and we want to protect our pets the same way we protect our kids in the car. Thankfully, there are some simple ways to do this.

If you’re heading out on a long road trip with the family dog, here are a few tips for making sure you’re both comfortable and safe.

Use a Pet Passenger Restraint System (PPRS)

The local pet store likely has a whole range of canine safety equipment that has been tested and approved for canine car safety. There are essentially two types. Safety carriers secure your dog in his own compartment and safety harnesses attach to existing seat-belt systems to restrict him from moving around the vehicle or being thrown when you brake.

Water and Food

Always pack lots of extra water and a bowl. There are collapsible bowls that pack easily, bowls with lids and even disposable pet bowls. Be sure to bring an extra container, like a gallon jug, of water, especially in summer (this goes for humans too!). Be sure you have enough food for your road trip, so you don’t surprise your dog with a new food on the road that they may not eat.

Extra Equipment

You never know what may happen, so an extra leash and collar is always a good thing to pack. If you are going to be in cold weather, pack a dog sweater or booties if your pet wears them.

Feeding Your Dog on the Road

Eating on the road can be tricky for a pet. Some pets get thrown off by new environments and may not eat as they normally do at home. Don’t worry if your dog misses a meal a two. Hunger will eventually get the best of him. Also, some dogs are prone to car sickness. It’s best to try to give an hour between meals and getting into the car. If car sickness is a real problem, your vet can provide medicine for your dog’s stomach.

Practice! Practice! Practice!

If this will be your first road trip, you might want to do a test run. A short day trip might be a good way to make sure your dog likes his restraint system and that it fits well. Also, you can get him used to strange feeding and watering bowls and also find out if he gets car sick.

And while you now know how to keep your dog safe on your road trip, don’t forget to protect yourself and your car with the right insurance. InsuranceWins can get you quotes for auto insurance quick and easy with our short form and instant results. Make sure your protected and enjoy your road trip with man’s best friend.