Teen Driver Updates from Secretary of State Ruth Johnson

Teen Driver Updates from Secretary of State Ruth Johnson
guy sleeping at wheel

Drowsy drivers are a menace to the roadways

The National Sleep Foundation says that sleep deprivation can have the same kind of effects on your body that drinking alcohol does. This makes drowsy driving especially dangerous.  

Follow the tips and information below from The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to help you avoid becoming a drowsy driver.  

  • The best countermeasure to drowsy driving is to get enough rest on a daily basis. Sleep is the only true preventative measure against the risks of drowsy driving. Make it a priority to get 7-8 hours of sleep per night.
  • Many teens do not get enough sleep at the same time that their biological need for sleep increases, thereby increasing the risk of drowsy-driving crashes, especially on longer trips.
  • Before the start of a long family car trip, get a good night’s sleep, or you could put your entire family and others at risk.
  • Avoid drinking any alcohol before driving. Consumption of alcohol interacts with sleepiness to increase drowsiness and impairment.
  • If you take medications that could cause drowsiness as a side effect, use public transportation when possible. If you drive, avoid driving during the peak sleepiness periods (midnight – 6 a.m. and late afternoon).
  • If you must drive during the peak sleepiness periods, stay vigilant for signs of drowsiness, such as crossing over roadway lines or hitting a rumble strip, especially if you’re driving alone.


What is more important than driving safely?

Anything that takes your eyes off the road, your hands off the wheel or your mind off your driving is a problem.  

Studies show that your brain cannot give full attention to more than one activity at a time. Even seemingly simple tasks such as adjusting the radio can be risky, especially in bad weather or heavy traffic.

In the estimated quarter of a second it takes the brain to shift attention between two tasks, a car going 65 mph covers 24 feet.

There are things that you can do to avoid driving distracted even before you get behind the wheel, such as:

  • Designate a front-seat passenger to serve as a “copilot” to help with maps or navigation systems. If you are driving alone, map out destinations in advance. 
  • Be familiar with equipment in the vehicle. Practice performing basic functions such as adjusting the temperature or radio settings without taking your eyes off the road.
  • Pre-program your favorite radio stations for easy access and connect any music streaming devices you use before you begin driving.
  • Ensure all children are comfortable and properly buckled up. Teach them the importance of good behavior and remaining buckled up while in a vehicle. Do not underestimate how distracting it can be to tend to them in the car.
  • Complete any personal grooming before you start driving or after you reach your destination.

Secretary of State Johnson

April is National Donate Life Month and Michigan residents have the opportunity to make a profound impact on the well-being of others by joining our state's Organ Donor Registry

Adding your name to the state registry of people willing to donate their organs, eyes and tissue will be the first step toward someday becoming a hero.

When you join the registry, you receive a red heart emblem for your license, indicating your decision that you want to help others through donation. It is always a good idea to share your decision with your family and to explain why it is important to you.

Ruth Johnson
Secretary of State


pothole

Tips for potholes

It is pothole season in Michigan and young drivers especially should be aware of how they form and what can be done to minimize the danger they present to motorists.

The Michigan Department of Transportation website has good resources, including a diagram of The Birth of a Pothole, tips for dealing with potholes, and a pothole reporting system so the traffic hazards can be repaired.

It is best to avoid hitting potholes so driving cautiously with proper following distance is important in order to have time to react when you encounter one on the roadway.


driver thumbs up

Teaching tip for parents

Studies show that the risk of a crash diminishes with experience. The more time you spend driving with your teen, the less likely it is they'll crash when they begin driving alone. 

Driving in a variety of circumstances is equally important. Make sure your teen gets exposure to a variety of roadways, and in different conditions as well: at night; in rain, fog and snow; and in heavy and light traffic.

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