RICHMOND—The riskiest time for a teen driver is often at the start of their driving career.

According to data from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System, the fatal crash rate per mile driven for 16-year-olds is 40% higher than for 18-year-olds.

There’s a lot of anxiety that comes with sending your teen off to drive. Fortunately, there are plenty of tools available for helping teens achieve a safe and successful driving career.

Parents can help their teen driver get off to a solid start by enrolling in Virginia Farm Bureau’s Smart Start Program.

“It’s all about starting off with good driving habits,” explained Barry Light, Virginia Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Co. senior product development manager.

The program takes about 30 minutes to complete and includes a video, booklet and quiz on covered materials. Participants will find helpful tips on Virginia driving laws and a review of safe driving habits, as well as a pledge to drive smart.

New drivers under 18 who successfully complete the course can receive an extra 5% off auto insurance premiums.

Teens may enroll online or through their Farm Bureau agent starting at age 16, but they must be accident- and conviction-free to qualify for the discount. Enrolled drivers also must maintain a valid Virginia driver’s license and stay listed on a VFB personal auto policy.

To learn more, visit vafb.com/insurance/Information-center/smart-start-program. To enroll, contact your local Farm Bureau insurance agent.

Evaluating teens’ driving habits also has gotten much easier, thanks to a wealth of no-hassle safe driving mobile apps.

VFB’s Drive2Save program offers extra incentives for downloading the Routely app, which helps users assess their driving habits in real time. Customers can receive a 10% discount on their auto insurance for enrolling in the program, and the safest drivers can save up to 30% at their next renewal.

“Safer drivers make safer roads,” Light noted. “Drive2Save is a great tool to supplement creating those good habits.”

Routely detects distracted driving, high speeds, sudden braking and time of day. Once the app is set up, it will automatically assess trips and provide tips to improve driving scores. Rates will be adjusted automatically at renewal.

Contact a VFB agent to enroll in Drive2Save and request an activation code. Visit vafb.com/drive2save for more information.

Media: Contact Light at 804-290-1383.