Talk to Your Teen During National Teen Driver Safety Week

City of Kenmore Washington sent this bulletin at 10/14/2016 03:43 PM PDT

Talk to Your Teen during 
National Teen Driver Safety Week

  Teen driver

National Teen Driver Safety Week (NTDSW) is a time designated each year to raise awareness of teen driver safety topics and to encourage safe teen driver and passenger behavior. Now in its 9th year, NTDSW takes place October 16-22, 2016. 

As a parent/caretaker, it is important for you to be a good teacher. Educating your teen on safe driving is a new experience for both of you, make an effort to enjoy the learning process and remember that practice makes perfect! Studies show that the risk of a crash diminishes with experience. The more time you can spend driving with your teen, the less likely it is they’ll crash when they begin driving alone. 

Tips to consider while talking to or riding with your teen: 

  • Seat belts must always be worn properly by everyone in the vehicle. Washington State has one of the highest seat belt use rates at 95% - let's continue the high rate!

  • Driving in a variety of vehicles, types of roads, and weather conditions is important: at night; in rain, fog, and snow; and in heavy and light traffic.

  • Talk to your teen about the dangers of driving under the influence - this can include over-the-counter drugs as well as illicit drugs and alcohol. 

  • To limit the desire to speed, encourage your teen to give themselves enough time to safely reach their destination.

  • Set a good example and put your phone down while driving and only use it when you are safely pulled over. According to the Pew Research Center, 40% of teens 12 to 17 say they have been in a car when the driver used a cell phone in a way that put themselves and others in danger.

  • Know that other passengers in the vehicle can be a great distraction for the driver. Ask your teen what they are comfortable with and make sure the passengers let the driver focus on driving.

  • Consider some ground rules you would like to set, such as a curfew. Remember school rules and state laws regarding passenger and time restrictions as well.

Talking to your teen and demonstrating good driver behavior will go a long way - it's never too late to start the conversation. For more information on teen driver safety, visit www.teendriversource.org/teen, www.kenmorewa.gov/targetzero/driver-safety and www.dol.wa.gov/driverslicense/teensafety