Learning to drive is a rite of passage into adulthood, but many young motorists and their parents may be unaware of just how dangerous it can be for a new driver to get behind the wheel. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, car accidents are the leading cause of death among teenagers, and teens are three times more likely to get into fatal accidents than drivers 20 and older.

A recent survey conducted by The Allstate Foundation indicates that more than two-thirds of parents expressed their regret in not spending more time teaching their teens about driving in high-risk situations, such as traffic jams and bad weather. Helping someone learn to drive can be a difficult task, but Allstate will be lending a hand with the launch of its new program, "Drive it Home." The initiative will offer vital information to teens and parents through the use of videos and graphics.

"We know from our research that parents are the No. 1 source of information for teen drivers, yet 40 percent don't know car crashes are the leading case of death for teens," said Vicky Dinges, vice president of corporate social responsibility at Allstate. "Drive it Home can help protect teen drivers, educate parents on the crucial role they play in the driving process, and help ensure our sons and daughters return home each and every night."

Once young drivers are armed with the know-how to stay safe behind the wheel, they will need a car that offers the utmost of safety. There are plenty of used cars that feature technology like lane departure warnings and backup assist, and drivers in the New York/New Jersey area can head to NJ State Auto Auction to check out the wide selection of makes and models.