Teens may be enrolled in driver's education classes, but the bulk of what they learn about the roads stems from their parents. Whether they're picking up on what to do at busy interactions or getting a master class in road rage, these young people are frequently exposed to good and bad driving habits. This heavily influences the type of motorist they become in the future, so adults should be aware of how they're behaving. 

Parents influence teens
One recent study from Goodyear focused on how the parents of young drivers view themselves on the roads. According to the survey, more than half of adults know their kids are paying attention to how they act, and more than one-third admit that their habits directly influence children's attitude behind the wheel. 

For the most part, parents believe their children see them as good drivers. But that's in spite of the fact that nearly half have gotten a speeding ticket while a child was in the car, and more than one quarter admit to engaging in some bad habits as they drive. If adults want to be good role models for teen drivers, they'll have to start cleaning up their act. 

"It is clear the role of parents starts very early," said Eszter Salamon, president of the European Parents Association. "They are role models for the children. They drive behavior, and their behavior on the road as drivers, cyclists or pedestrians has an influence."

Safety first 
Parents of young drivers don't have it easy. They have to balance safety and a budget – something that can be incredibly difficult when inexperienced drivers are involved. Not only do you want to make sure these motorists are protected with all of the top technologies and safety features, but you also must guarantee you're not sinking too much into an investment.

According to the Department of Motor Vehicles, drivers ages 16 to 19 are almost three times more likely to be involved in an accident than their more experienced counterparts. Even if these collisions are light fender benders, they could still result in repairs that are both time consuming and expensive. Rather than get involved in a tangle of maintenance bills and sky-high insurance premiums, search for a great used car at New Jersey State Auto Auction. This lot is loaded with Carfax-certified used cars, trucks and vans, most of which offer the right balance of quality and price that you're looking for.