National Teen Driver Safety Week (October 16-22, 2022) is…

National Teen Driver Safety Week (October 16-22, 2022) is dedicated to raising awareness and seeking solutions to prevent teen injuries and deaths on the road.

This week, and every week, parents should have conversations with their teens about the important rules they need to follow to stay safe behind the wheel of a motor vehicle. These rules address the greatest dangers for teen drivers: alcohol, inconsistent or no seat belt use, distracted and drowsy driving, speeding, and number of passengers.

Facts about Teen Driver Fatalities

• Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for teens in the United States.

• In 2019, there were 2,042 people killed in crashes involving a teen driver, of which 628 deaths were the teen driver.

• Get Involved - Teens who are monitored closely tend to speed less. Take the lead to do more to address speeding behavior by your teen driver and get involved in the learning-to-drive process.

• Be a good role model - Parents can be the biggest influencers on teens' choices behind the wheel if they take the time to talk with their teens about some of the biggest driving risks. Never speed. Be consistent between the message you tell your teen and your own driving behaviors. Kids learn from watching their parents.

• Hold up on buying your teen a new car - According to study’s, when a teen first has a driver's license, he or she is more likely to speed in their own vehicle versus driving the family sedan. If possible, parents should choose larger, newer cars rather than high-performance vehicles.