Take the time to remind young drivers about safe driving during Teen Driver Safety Week
Take the time to remind young drivers about safe driving during Teen Driver Safety Week
National Teen Driver Safety Week runs Oct. 20-26 this year and is a great opportunity to remind teens and their parents about the distractions and responsibilities of driving.
Some specific risk factors, according to data, for teen drivers include not wearing a seatbelt, alcohol or drug use, distracted driving, and having additional passengers in the vehicle.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of death for teens (aged 15-18) in the U.S. And in Arizona, 13 young drivers between the ages of 15 and 17 were killed on Arizona roads in 2023, based on crash reports ADOT collects from law enforcement agencies.
Here are some safety tips that teens should keep in mind when they’re out on the roads:
- Wear a seatbelt and make sure your passengers do, too.
- Minimize distractions — put away your cell phone.
- Don’t drink and drive.
- Get plenty of rest before hitting the roads.
- Obey the posted speed limits.
New drivers under 18 have a few restrictions for the first 6 months with a license. They are allowed only one passenger in the car with them, except siblings or a parent that is licensed and seated next to the driver.
Also, those drivers are not allowed to drive between 12 a.m. and 5 a.m. unless they are going directly from a sanctioned school or religious activity, work, or a family emergency. These restrictions are meant to reduce distractions and other issues during the first few months of teens driving on their own.