Teen Driving Safety

Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for teenagers in the United States.  In California, 15,000 16-19 year old teens are killed or injured each year!  Unfortunately, teen drivers put everyone at risk including friends, other drivers, pedestrians, and family members.  Recent studies show that two-thirds of the people killed in fatal crashes by teen drivers are persons other than the teen driver.  (AAA)

 

Persons under age 18 must be accompanied by a parent / guardian or other person specified by law when:

• Transporting passengers under 20 years of age, at any time for the first twelve months.
• Driving between the hours of 11:00 PM and 5:00 AM for the first twelve months

 

Exception to the restriction:  Necessity of family member including yourself, when adequate transportation facilities are unavailable and you need personal transportation or to transport a family member.  You must carry a signed statement by a parent/legal guardian verifying the reason you must drive and the probable date the necessity will end.

 

Night-Time Driving

THE RISK: During the first six months of independent driving, the risk of a fatal crash at night is about three times higher for teens than during the day.

 

Aggressive & Reckless Driving

THE RISK: Speed-related crashes account for 44% of fatalities among 15–20 year olds.

 

Driving Under the Influence

THE RISK: Driving under the influence is a factor in one of every four fatal teen crashes.

 

Safety Belts

THE RISK: Teens have the lowest safety belt use of all drivers and are more likely to forget or decide not to buckle up when there are other teens in the car.

 

Passengers

THE RISK: The number of passengers in a teen’s vehicle is a major risk factor in teen crashes. The risk of a fatal crash increases by 100% for each additional teen passenger when a teen is driving.

 

Cell Phones

THE RISK: Teen drivers are particularly at risk of distracted driving resulting from talking or texting on cell phones. Such activities increase the chance of getting involved in serious vehicle crashes. California law prohibits drivers under the age of 18 from using a cell phone, a hands-free device or other electronic communication while driving.

 

Distractions

THE RISK: Teen drivers are especially susceptible to distractions. Distractions impair judgment and decision-making abilities.  Talking to passengers, changing a CD, eating, and personal grooming are all distractions that divide attention and take the focus off driving.

 

AAA Parent-Teen Driving Agreement:  Consider a formal agreement between parents and your teen driver that outlines specific guidelines that parents and teens agree to follow. The agreement also establishes consequences and provides discussion points for not following the agreement.  The agreement includes elements of California’s Graduated Driver Licensing Law to ensure that teens follow state law.

 

For more information on California’s Graduated Driver License Law and other driving tips, visit the Club’s website at www.aaa.com/teens.

Protecting yourself on the road is easier when you know the rules of safe driving and how to anticipate unexpected road hazards.   Consider the following safe-driving guidelines from the State of California Department of Insurance to help protect you from being another fatality statistic:

 

Ø       Drive at the speed limit and adjust your speed down for night driving and road conditions such as rain, snow, ice, or fog.

Ø       Drive defensively.  Look out for other drivers, pedestrians, cyclists, and animals.

Ø       Keep a safe distance between you and the car in front of you.  Back off! No one likes a tailgater.

Ø       Always wear your seat belt. It’s the law and seat belts have saved countless lives.  Anyway, hat glass in the forehead look is really overrated.

Ø       Know how to work the controls and quickly check the instrument panel of your car.  Playing around with the radio, cruise control, cell phone, or any other instrument control is dangerous and decreases your concentration. 

Ø       Pay attention when you drive.  The most important thing to do when driving is driving!

Ø       Drive sober.  Choose a designated driver.

Ø       Ride only with sober drivers.  Offer to drive if the driver has been drinking or spring for a taxi.  Almost half of the people who die in car crashes are passengers.

Ø       Allow plenty of time to get where you’re going.  The idea is getting there! There’s always time for a funeral.

Ø       Make sure your car is in good working order.  Know how to fill the gas tank, check the oil, change a flat tire, gauge tire pressure, fill windshield wiper fluid, and check windshield wipers for wear.  • Keep your car free of trash and clean all windows and mirrors.  It’s not good when your diet soda can gets lodged under the brake pedal.