Parents in California are being encouraged to talk to their teens about safe driving habits as part of this year’s National Teen Driver Safety Week.
The event, which runs October 20-26, urges parents and guardians to take the time to educate their teens on the consequences of bad behaviors while driving, including speeding or using a cell phone.
“Teen drivers don’t have the same experiences or skills of older drivers with many more years and miles on the road,” California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) Director Barbara Rooney said. “Avoiding bad, dangerous habits behind the wheel is critical for the safety of teens.”
Vehicle crashes remain the leading cause of death for teens between the ages of 15 and 18. Teen drivers are also involved in crashes at three times the rate of any other age group, according to the Governors Highway Safety Association.
In order to reduce the risk for teen drivers, the OTS asks parents to take the following steps:
- Understand California’s Graduated Driver License (GDL) laws, which place restrictions on driving with passengers and at night (11pm – 5am) during a teen’s first year with a license.
- Be a good role model by driving how you would want your teen to drive.
- Set ground rules like staying off the phone while driving, not giving friends rides, following the speed limit and never driving after drinking or using drugs that impair.
- Establish consequences. Don’t be afraid to discipline if your teen breaks the rules.
- Reinforce the ramifications for violating the zero-tolerance law for alcohol.
- Remind them to never ride with someone who has been drinking or is impaired.
