YOUTHFUL OPERATOR DRIVER SAFETY AGREEMENT

(September, 2018)

Insurers are always interested in indicators of training and good student certificates are valuable tools for evaluating young drivers. Good grades and driver training do not guarantee that a young driver is competent, but they do help compensate for a young driver’s low level of experience. It is especially helpful if the young driver’s parents or guardians hold a youthful operator accountable to the provisions of a driver agreement.

Example: Joyce was out and about, driving with several friends. They were all celebrating having become new drivers. The fun ended when Joyce lost control and slid off a road into a shallow ditch. Her parents were relieved that no one was injured and that the vehicle only had to be towed, with no repairs necessary. Joyce’s parents decided that they would have to make a new plan on her car use.

There is no official form. Any company may develop their own for use by their insured households. These forms generally include stipulations that mitigate the low driving experience of youthful operators such as not permitting late night driving. Other stipulations may include basing driving privileges upon completing chores, schoolwork and maintaining a certain grade level. Again, such measures help make youthful operators more acceptable by encouraging a higher level of responsibility and reducing exposure to more dangerous loss situations while the young driver develops more maturity and experience. In recognition of the importance of experience and maturity, more state licensing laws now require a probationary period with various driving restrictions for new operators.

The following is a guide for a contract your clients may want to use with their youthful operators.

My Driver Safety Agreement

Driving is a privilege that I may have suspended or lose by violating this agreement. My driving privileges may also be lost or suspended for other reasons such as (but not limited to) unsatisfactory school grades and violations of family trust.

I agree to the following:

• I will obey any curfews or restrictions imposed by my driver's license.
• I will obey all traffic laws and speed limits.
• I will obey traffic signs and adhere to lane markings
• I will not drink and drive, or use illegal drugs, or drive if I am taking ANY medication that may affect my driving.
• I will not operate devices, such as cell or smart phones, which will create a driving distraction.
• I will not ride with anyone I know, or suspect is under the influence of alcohol or drugs (legal, or illegal).
• I will not permit any open or empty containers of alcohol, or transport anyone I know, or suspect may be carrying illegal drugs in any vehicle I operate.
• I will not ride in any vehicle where I know that there are empty or open containers of alcohol or where anyone I know, or suspect may be carrying illegal drugs.
• I agree not to drive with or transport anyone who is in possession of a firearm or other "weapon."
• I will always wear my seatbelt and shoulder harness. I will not ride in any vehicle in which there are more people than seat belts.
• I will make certain that I can always hear emergency vehicle and traffic sounds.
• I will drive defensively, recognizing the driving dangers posed by other drivers.
• I will not transport passengers unless they are properly secured by a seatbelt.
• I will always wear a helmet if I am driving or riding on a motorcycle. I will not transport a passenger unless he or she also wears a helmet.
• I will drive in a manner that respects the safety of me, my passengers, other drivers and pedestrians.
• I will ignore peer pressure. While driving, I am in control. I can stop and ask others to leave my vehicle and, as a passenger, I can ask a driver to stop and let me out.
• I will not drive unless I feel safe and certain of my ability.
• I will be especially alert during dangerous conditions such as rain, snow, sleet, wind, heavy traffic, construction zones, and accident scenes.
• I will always lock every door and take the keys when I leave the vehicle. I will park in areas where I believe the vehicle will be safe from damage or theft.
• I will obey the driving instructions of my parent(s) and of law enforcement officers.
• Additional Conditions Required by My Parent(s):

· ________________________________________________________________

· ________________________________________________________________

· ________________________________________________________________

· ________________________________________________________________

I have read, understood and I will comply with this agreement.

Signed: ______________________ Witnessed: ________________________

Date: ______________________

Note: An agreement may also include a list of any consequences that will result from failing to comply with its stipulations such as restricting driving privileges (such as only to/from school or part-time job), temporary loss of driving privileges, using fines that must be fully paid (by chores or money) before driving privileges resume, etc.