Last Updated on August 10, 2020
As a parent, you want to make sure your teenager is safe on the road. For your child to be an effective driver, they’ll need to learn and practice defensive driving techniques from a young age. teenSMART is a new driver education program for families that uses science-based methods to teach driving concepts. In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about teenSMART before you and your teen sign up.
What Is teenSMART?
teenSMART is a driver education program developed by Adept Driver. Adept Driver has a full range of products to promote driver safety and education – they also have programs for older drivers and training programs for companies. teenSMART is their most popular product. It stands out from other driver training programs because it combines computer simulations with road-based lessons that parents and teens can do together. It can be completed at your own pace, so it’s very convenient for busy families. All of Adept Driver’s programs are based on effective scientific principles that are proven to reduce unsafe driving behaviors.
What Is Included in the teenSMART Program?
teenSMART is an eight-hour course that teaches teenagers key driver safety lessons. In the course, you’ll get computer lessons and practice simulations to teach your teen about the leading causes of car accidents. The practice simulations teach them strategies to stay safe on the road and give them an easy way to practice before they get behind the wheel.
The teenSMART program also includes activities for parents and teens to do together. This includes both driving activities as well as discussions to have and videos to watch together. These activities will help parents and children get on the same page about safe driving practices. At the end of the course, teens will take an online certification test with immediate results.
To complete the teenSMART program, teens will need to have a legal driver’s permit or license. They will also need to complete the program with a parent or other trusted adult over the age of 25 who has a license. You will also need a Windows or Mac computer with an up-to-date processor and at least 2 GB of RAM. The program is available online as well as in a download version.
Why Is teenSMART So Effective?
teenSMART is very effective because it uses behavioral science to teach safe driving practices. The video simulations are realistic to help teens learn most effectively. Adept Driver reports that drivers who complete the teenSMART course have up to 30% fewer collisions in their first year on the road compared to drivers who do not complete the teenSMART course.
teenSMART teaches six core principles of driver safety – visual search, hazard detection, speed adjustment, space management, risk perception, and lifestyle issues. By learning exactly what causes accidents, teens can more effectively manage their behavior on the road and prevent dangerous situations. teenSMART makes their lessons fun to help kids stay engaged. The lessons are also very short, at only 30 minutes long, and can be completed at any pace.
Can teenSMART Give You a Discount on Your Insurance?
Many insurance companies offer discounts to teen drivers who complete the teenSMART program. Depending on your insurance company, these discounts can help you save as much as 35 percent on your policy. Car insurance policies for teenagers are often much more expensive, so these discounts can really add up. New drivers are statistically more likely to get into an accident and file insurance claims than older, more experienced drivers. Because of this, insurance companies charge much higher premiums to compensate.
Many prominent insurers have recently started offering discounts for completing teenSMART. Some of the most notable insurers offering this discount are Allstate, MetLife, and Liberty Mutual. However, there are many smaller local and regional carriers that also have this discount. When shopping for car insurance for your teenager, be sure to ask if they provide a discount for completing teenSMART or any other driver training programs. You might be surprised by how many companies offer flexible discounts.
What Other Car Insurance Discounts Can My Teenager Get?
There are many other discounts that car insurance companies offer that teenagers can qualify for. The most common is the good student discount, which gives teenagers a significant discount for having a high GPA. Some car insurance companies also offer discounts for parents who have students away at college. There are also discounts available for cars with certain safety features, like anti-lock brakes. If your teen stays on your policy several years in a row, they may also qualify for a loyalty discount.
Are There Any Alternatives to teenSMART?
There are many other driver education programs on the market, although teenSMART consistently gets stellar reviews for its scientifically-based approach. Many states offer their own driver training program and defensive driving courses. Some schools also offer driver’s ed as an elective for teenagers. Pairing in-person driving lessons with a teenSMART course can help your teenager thoroughly master the basics of driving. For busy parents who don’t have time to teach their teens, there are also private driving academies around the country that offer more in-depth training. However, these training courses can be very expensive.
The Importance of Effective Driver Education
Many teens these days are juggling busy schedules, with constant school assignments, after-school activities, and an engaging social life. Because of these busy schedules, it’s easy for driver’s ed to get swept under the rug – but it shouldn’t. Effective driver’s ed courses like teenSMART can make the difference between a safe driver and a careless one. Not only can a good driver’s ed course reduce the chances of an accident, but it can also help to prevent minor traffic violations that can lead to expensive tickets. teenSMART is a good option for busy families because you can complete it at your own pace and earn a significant discount on your car insurance.
