Celebrate National Teen Driver Safety Week with Your Teen Behind the Wheel

Hey there, Central Texas parents! Buckle up—this week (October 19-25) is National Teen Driver Safety Week (NTDSW), a great moment to hit “pause” and chat with your teen driver about staying safe on the roads of the Hill Country. At Dowd Insurance Agency, we’re all about helping families protect what matters most—and yes, that includes your newly licensed driver.

Why is this week so important? According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), traffic crashes are the leading cause of death for teens aged 15-18 in the U.S. In 2023 alone, 822 teen drivers died in crashes, and 2,611 teens were involved in crashes where someone died.

So yes—it’s serious. But don’t worry—we’re going to keep it light, practical and down-to-earth so you can turn this week into a smart “safer-driving” foundation for your family.

Why Hill Country Parents Should Care

Living in the Hill Country and Central Texas adds some unique twists: scenic country roads, winding ranch-routes, and occasional high-speed highways. For teens still building experience, that environment brings extra considerations. Here are some key risk factors to keep in mind:

• Inexperience behind the wheel is the root cause of many teen crashes.
• Distracted driving (texting, phones, music, passengers) remains a big threat.
• Speeding and nighttime driving carry elevated risk—one study found that 17 % of fatal teen driver crashes happened between 9 p.m.–11 p.m., though teens only make about 10 % of their trips during that time.
• Multiple teen passengers amplify risk. When friends ride along, distractions rise and decision-making can drop.

As a parent in Canyon Lake, New Braunfels, Lakeway or anywhere across the Hill Country, you’re in a perfect position to turn these risks into teachable moments—and yes, good driving habits can be part of your insurance strategy too.

Your Parent-Teen “Safe Driving Plan”

Think of this week as your launch pad. Here are four simple but strong steps you and your teen can take together.

1. Set the Ground Rules + a Driving Agreement

Put it in writing—even something simple—that defines what you expect when your teen is behind the wheel. Cover items such as:

• No texting or phone use while driving.
• Limit the number of teen passengers.
• No driving after a certain hour (especially at night).
• Always buckle up—front AND back seats.
• No alcohol/drugs before driving—it’s illegal and dangerous.

Having an agreement makes it a two-way conversation. Your teen signs it. You sign it. You model it.

2. Be the Role Model

Here’s a truth deal: your teen is watching you. If you’re on your phone behind the wheel, running red lights, clipping speeds—your teen notices. NHTSA says that parents’ driving habits send strong signals to new drivers.

So use this week to glance at your own habits: Are you distracted? Are you following the rules you expect your teen to follow?

3. Practice Smart in Our Local Roads

Winding roads around Canyon Lake or speed changes near US-281? They’re perfect practice zones. Before giving full autonomy, fill in gaps:

• Practice night driving.
• Practice driving with one passenger.
• Practice quick decision-making in a low-risk environment.
• Talk about hazards: wildlife, ranch gates, two-lane curves—these matter.

The more you do together, the more real experience your teen gains. The more realistic practice, the better the outcome.

4. Review Your Insurance with Dowd Insurance Agency

When your teen is licensed, cost, coverage and risk all shift. Some key things to check:

• Are they listed properly on your auto policy?
• Is there an added teen-driver surcharge?
• What safe-driver discounts apply when they’ve completed a driver-training course?
• Do you have sufficient liability, collision and comprehensive coverage considering vehicle type and driving environment?

We’re happy to walk you through the details and make sure your policy reflects the right balance of protection and affordability.

Five Quick “Hill Country Safe Driving Reminders”

1. Seat belts save lives – More than half of teen passengers killed in cars driven by teen drivers in recent years weren’t buckled.
2. Phones off = focus on the road – Driving is the only job your teen has when they’re behind the wheel. Anything else is a distraction.
3. Night driving rules – Since the risk jumps after dark, set restrictions for the first year of independent driving.
4. One or zero teen passengers – The “just me” rule helps reduce peer pressure and distractions.
5. Lead by example – You’re the first and most powerful instructor your teen has.

Final Word (And Freebie Challenge!)

As the leaves change and the afternoons in the Hill Country start drawing in, this week—National Teen Driver Safety Week—is your moment to pause, talk, set the tone…and gear up for a safer year of driving ahead.

Challenge for the week: Sit down with your teen this evening. Pull out your “Driving Agreement” together. Talk through each point while you sip a hot cocoa (or iced tea—let’s stay local and relaxed). Then, drive together for 15-20 minutes after dark. Ask your teen to drive; you ride. Afterwards, talk about what felt right, what felt hard, and what you’ll both do differently next time.

If you have questions about driver coverage, discounts, or how your policy handles a teen driver in Central Texas, give us a shout. At Dowd Insurance Agency, we want you to feel confident your teen is covered—on the road and behind the wheel.

Drive safe. Talk often. And let’s make this week count.