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Tips to Help Keep Your Teen Driver Safe on the Road
It’s an exciting time in teens’ lives when they first begin driving, but it’s also an extraordinarily dangerous time. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for kids and young adults ages 14 through 18.

Despite this, the NHTSA says just 25 percent of parents have a serious talk with their kids about the key components of safe driving. So, with National Teen Driver Safety Week coming up October 19-25, here are five recommended rules to spell out before your teen gets behind the wheel:
1. Absolutely no alcohol.
  There is no legal limit for alcohol when it comes to teen drivers. Having any amount of alcohol in their system is illegal for all those under 21, everywhere. On average, according to the NHTSA, 25 percent of deaths in motor vehicle crashes involve a teen driver with a blood-alcohol content of .01 or higher.
2. Seat belts required.
  Drivers and passengers ages 16 to 24 historically use seat belts less often than other groups. Let teens know that seat belt use is non-negotiable. It’s the easiest way to protect themselves in a crash. And, set a good example by buckling up yourself.
3. Never speed.
  Teenagers may like to push the limits, but the road isn’t the place to do so. Speeding doesn’t simply put them at risk for a ticket. It increases the risk of a deadly accident as well.
4. No calls, no texts.
  It’s never a good idea for anyone to call or text while driving, but, because teens lack experience behind the wheel, distracted driving is all the more risky. Reaction times are slower when someone is distracted. Even worse, sending or reading a text means a driver’s eyes aren’t on the road.
5. Only one passenger (or zero, depending on your state’s licensing guidelines for young drivers).
  As the number of passengers rises, so does the risk of a fatal crash, the NHTSA says. Think back to when you were a teen driver — how different were your actions when you had friends in the car versus when you were alone?
Let young drivers know that driving is a privilege and that you’ll take away the keys if they don’t drive safely. Having regular conversations about safety, practicing driving together, and leading by example go a long way in ensuring your teen makes smart decisions when they get behind the wheel.

But there’s another simple step you can take to get on the same page about your family’s rules of the road. Create a Parent-Teen Driving Agreement that puts your rules in writing to clearly set expectations and limits. Work with your teen to outline hazards to avoid and consequences for breaking rules.

Keep it on the fridge and update it as your teen gains experience and more driving privileges.

Link to Parent / Teen Driving Agreement http://www.cdc.gov/parentsarethekey/pdf/patk_2014_teenparent_agreement_aap-a.pdf

Contact Us!

At Saks Insurance, LLC, we can work with you to make sure you’ve got the coverage you need, while at the same time using all possible credits and discounts to make that coverage affordable. Just give us a call at 480-545-1144 or send us an e-mail to service@saksinsurance.com. We want to help you meet your goals, and make sure what’s important to you is protected!
December 14, 2014
A Little Extra Caution Can Go A Long Way While Driving At Night
Summer has ended, and while fall and winter have their own pleasures — and cooler temperatures — longer nights mean increased danger on the roads.

You might think you drive just as well at night, but consider this: Even though nighttime driving accounts for just 23% of vehicle miles traveled, more than 50% of fatalities for vehicle occupants 16 and older occur between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m., according to the National Safety Commission (NSC).

Because we’re big advocates for safety at Saks Insurance, LLC., we thought it would be helpful to take a look at why night driving is more dangerous, and what you can do to decrease that danger.

What’s dangerous about night driving?
1. Decreased vision. We won’t go into all the biological details, but different parts of the eye (such as iris, pupil and retina) work differently at night. Your peripheral vision is actually slightly improved, but it’s more difficult to focus on objects ahead of you. And traveling between well-lit areas and darker roads creates issues as well.
2. Driving too fast for your headlights. Depending on vehicle speed and headlight setting, many people “over-drive” their headlights. That means, by the time they see something on the road, it’s too late to stop in time to avoid it.
3. Impaired judgment. Whether due to drowsiness or the use of alcohol or drugs, it appears that drivers at night often don’t use good judgment. According to the NSC, 66% of fatalities at night involve vehicle occupants who weren’t wearing seat belts.
So what do you do?

Sometimes, there’s no way around driving at night. So here are some tips to help you make a safe trip — whether you’re just running to the store, or you’re headed all the way to Flagstaff.

Make sure your vehicle’s lights are in good working condition. And not just headlights, but turn signals, tail lights, etc.
1. Avoid speeding. Leave a bigger cushion between you and other cars than you would during daylight hours. Leave yourself more time for the trip.
2. Be more aware of your surroundings. You shouldn’t be using your phone, messing around with the radio or trying to find something on the floor while you’re on the road anyway — and distractions are even more deadly at night.
Of course, if you’re not comfortable driving at night, the best thing is to avoid it altogether if possible. There’s nothing wrong with asking for a ride from a trusted safe driver or waiting for the sun to come out!

Contact Us!

At Saks Insurance, LLC., we can work with you to make sure you have the coverage that you need, while at the same time using all possible credits and discounts to make that coverage affordable. Just give us a call at 480-545-1144 or send us an e-mail to service@saksinsurance.com. We want to help you meet your goals, and make sure what’s important to you is protected!
December 7, 2014
Motorcycle Gear – Proper motorcycle safety gear helps you ride right

Whether you’re an experienced rider or just getting started, the right protective gear will help you have enjoyable and, most importantly, safe journeys. Even if you’re riding just a short distance, the fact that motorcycles don’t offer the same protections as other vehicles means that you need to take great care when you hit the road.

We here at SAKS INSURANCE, LLC. want everyone on the road to reach their destination in one piece. So we’re providing some safety gear tips gleaned from motorcycle safety organizations, including the Motorcycle Safety Foundation and the American Motorcyclist Association.

Keep your head

Perhaps the most important piece of safety equipment — other than a well-maintained bike — is your helmet. Not only does a helmet protect your head in the event of a crash, the visors and face shields provide additional safety benefits along with a more enjoyable ride. You don’t really want to get hit in the face with a pebble or a bug on the freeway, do you? Full-face helmets also cut down on wind noise and can help reduce rider fatigue.

Always make sure your helmet has a secure fit and that any face-protection options you select allow you to easily see what’s around you.

It may be tempting to feel the wind in your hair as you ride along The Apache Trail, but wearing a helmet should be a no-brainer when you consider the safety benefits.

Your feet and hands

Boots protect your feet and ankles from injury not only in a crash but also during the ride by providing a barrier against road debris and hot exhaust pipes. The right boot soles (oil-resistant, rubber-based composite) will help you keep your feet where they need to be — on the pegs.

And remember to protect your fingers! Gloves improve your grip and prevent abrasions and blisters. Just be sure that they fit properly so you can still work the controls of your bike.

The rest of your body

When it comes to clothing to wear while riding your bike, there are options for every style choice. Look for protective gear designed specifically for motorcyclists – it will offer you the best protection while still allowing you to comfortably operate your bike.

There’s a reason many riders wear leather. It is extremely durable and protects against abrasions. Newer fabrics, however, also provide these benefits. Look for reflective strips or other features designed to help make you more visible to other drivers, or add your own reflective strips if needed.

If it’s windy, you’ll want to wear layers to help keep the wind from your body. If you ride in inclement weather, don a rain suit or other gear designed specifically for those times when the road ahead isn’t quite sunny. You can even look for clothing that features electric heat, which can make your journey a lot more comfortable.

Non-clothing items

Safety gear isn’t all about clothing. Some items to keep handy: a flat-tire repair kit, tire-pressure gauge, spare fuses and anything that might be of use for your particular bike. Remember to pack a flashlight, in case you end up on the side of the road in the dark. (And it can help keep you visible to passing traffic, which is always a real concern.)

We know that this list of safety gear sounds like a lot, but safe riding means being responsible. If you are looking to buy cool new gear to go with your bike, you might as well get the kind that will make you look good and help save you from injury.

Other safety resources

The Motorcycle Safety Foundation (http://www.msf-usa.org) is a great resource to learn more about safety gear and motorcycling in general, as is the American Motorcyclist Association (www.americanmotorcyclist.com). We’re here to help, too! If you have questions about insurance coverage for your bike, or want more safety resources, give us a call at 480-545-1144.

September 30, 2014
Can Traffic Tickets Save Lives?

Each year, more than a million people are killed in car crashes, and more than 25 million people are permanently disabled due to car accidents.

There is new research that suggests that getting a traffic ticket may actually help to save lives According to studies done in Canada and California getting a traffic ticket can reduce your chances of being in a fatal car accident by up to 35 percent for a few weeks after getting the ticket. However, within three to four months of getting the ticket, drivers go back to speeding.

So the next time you get a citation, smile and say thank you to the nice officer.

For all of your auto insurance policy needs in the Mesa, Arizona area contact the insurance professionals at Saks Insurance. We can provide you with the most comprehensive coverage options to ensure that you are protected from any situation while on the road.

August 25, 2014