Teen Safe Driving – Resources for ParentsSeptember 7, 2016
HPV Videos Education & Promotion ProjectSeptember 9, 2016
KEEP TEEN DRIVERS SAFE
Did you know that car crashes are the leading cause of death for teenagers in the US?
- 7 teens die every day in collisions
- 2/3 of teen passengers who die are with teen drivers
What puts teen drivers at risk?
- Impaired Driving
- Night driving
- Lack of Seatbelts used
- Driving with other teens
What works to protect teen drivers?
- Strong Provisional Driver’s Licenses decrease fatal crashes by 20%
- Uses of seat belts could decrease fatalities by 45%
- Limiting teens access to alcohol
California has had a Provisional Driver’s License in place with modifications since 1997 (Brady-Jared Teen Driver Safety Act). This has undoubtedly saved many lives but could be stronger:
- Night driving limits should be expanded (currently 11 PM-5 AM) since most collisions happen between 9 PM and 12 midnight
- Increase the age for obtaining a Learner’s Permit to 16. This increased age for a permit and subsequent license will allow for a more mature driver
- Increase teen passenger restrictions to 18 years of age. Currently, teen drivers have no teen passengers for 1st year. One option would be limit to one teen passenger until 18.
- Consider Provisional Driver’s License for those 18-20. Many teens now wait until they are 18 to get a license to avoid having any restrictions.
Restrict access to alcohol & reinforce dangers of use:
- 24% of High School Juniors in California have driven after drinking or ridden with a driver who had been drinking
Engage parents in the process:
- Parents are the primary role model for driving and also, the ones who set the rules for driving access