Teen Driver Updates from Secretary of State Ruth Johnson

Teen Driver Updates from Secretary of State Ruth Johnson
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Teens' greatest risks

Newly licensed teens crash much more often than older, more experienced drivers. These are the circumstances that are the most common trouble areas for young drivers:

Other teens: Research is clear on the fact that risky teen driving behaviors increase in the presence of teen passengers. A teen who is driving with other teens in the car is more likely to crash.

Seat belts: The unfortunate reality is that teens buckle up far less frequently than adults. Recent studies show that belt use among teens is the lowest of any age group.

Drugs and alcohol: Teens are at a far greater risk of death in an alcohol-related crash than the overall population. When alcohol is added to the inexperience of teen drivers, the results can be deadly.

Fatigue: Teen drivers who sleep less than eight hours a night are 33 percent more likely to crash than teens who get more than eight hours of sleep. This lack of sleep results in depressive moods, more risk-taking behaviors and lower grades.

Distracted driving: A driver's primary responsibility when behind the wheel is to focus on the act of driving. Any behavior that distracts from that activity--most notably electronic devices-- increases the risk of a collision and should absolutely be avoided.

Inexperience: Just as it takes years to perfect any skill - athletic, artistic or otherwise - it also takes years to become a truly good driver. Until teens are much more experienced, they run a greater risk of crashing, being hurt, and potentially dying.

Night driving: Night driving is challenging for all drivers, but novice drivers do not have the experience to anticipate and react when visibility is reduced.

Excerpted from The Parent's Supervised Driving Guide, a helpful resource for families with young drivers.


Michigan.gov/teendriver

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The starting point for driver education in Michigan is the Secretary of State's Teen Driver site at Michigan.gov/teendriver

Teens and their parents are encouraged to visit for a wealth of resources on the state's Graduated Driver Licensing system and answers to the many questions they may have.

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Being a safe, responsible driver requires your full attention. Your reaction time, judgment, ability to anticipate events, attention to detail, concentration and physical movement all play important roles in the task of driving.

Your car is not the place for multi-tasking, so please do not allow distractions to pull your attention from your driving. And remember: It is dangerous and illegal to text and drive in Michigan.

Ruth Johnson
Secretary of State


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100 Deadliest Days

The time between Memorial Day and Labor Day is commonly known as the '100 Deadliest Days' for teen drivers, when the occurrence of crashes involving teens rises.

AAA and other safety advocates are urging parents to use tools and resources available to them so they can help keep teen drivers safe.


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Slow down for workers

When going through a designated work area, pay attention to the posted speed limits. For most construction, maintenance or surveying activities, the speed limit is 45 mph unless posted differently.

Construction workers have the authority to direct traffic in work zones and their directions should be followed even if they conflict with an existing traffic control device. 

Motorists causing injury or death to any person in a work zone are subject to fines of up to $7,500 and imprisonment of up to 15 years. (Photo by MDOT Photography Unit)