Montgomery, AL – This fall, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) is partnering with the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to promote National Teen Driver Safety Week. The campaign, which runs from Sunday, October 20, to Saturday, October 26, emphasizes the importance of talking to teens about safe driving habits.
While conversations about safe driving are essential year-round, this dedicated week offers parents and guardians a chance to reinforce crucial road safety rules with young drivers. Statistics from NHTSA reveal that traffic crashes remain a leading cause of death among 15- to 20-year-olds. Though the number of young drivers who died in crashes decreased by 5% from 2021 to 2022, with injuries dropping by 11%, there’s still a need for vigilance. In 2022, the rate of fatal crashes per 100,000 licensed young drivers stood at 22.74 for females and 58.73 for males.
“Parents play an important role in teaching and developing safe teen drivers,” ALEA Secretary Hal Taylor emphasized. He noted that new teen drivers face increased risks as they gain experience, and it’s crucial for parents to model safe driving behavior and initiate serious discussions about safety. “Now is the time to start the conversation and continue it daily,” Taylor urged.
Key Areas of Focus for Teen Driving Safety
The NHTSA has outlined several core areas where parents can guide teens toward safer driving behaviors:
- Impaired Driving: Teens are at heightened risk when they drive under the influence of alcohol, marijuana, or any impairing substance. Statistics show that one in five teen drivers involved in fatal crashes have alcohol in their system. Parents should make clear that driving privileges depend on responsible behavior.
- Seat Belt Use: Seat belts are a proven lifesaver, yet many teens still neglect this basic precaution. Half of all teen drivers who die in crashes are not wearing seat belts. Parents can encourage consistent seat belt use by linking it to driving privileges.
- Distracted Driving: Distracted driving, especially involving cell phone use, remains a significant threat. Data from 2021 shows that 7% of teen drivers involved in fatal crashes were distracted. Parents should stress the dangers of using phones and other distractions while driving.
- Speeding: Inexperience makes speeding particularly dangerous for teens. About one-third of teen drivers involved in fatal crashes were speeding at the time. Parents can reinforce the importance of adhering to speed limits.
- Passenger Safety: Teen drivers face greater risks when they carry multiple passengers. Research indicates that the likelihood of a fatal crash increases with the number of passengers. Parents should be aware of and enforce restrictions on teen passengers according to Alabama’s Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) Law.
Parents’ Role in Safety
Research shows that teens are less likely to engage in risky behaviors when parents set clear rules and expectations. Colonel Jonathan Archer, Director of ALEA’s Department of Public Safety (DPS), highlighted the critical role of parents in driver safety. “While teens will learn much of this content in driver education, nothing replaces the conversations that take place at home or in the car,” he stated. Archer encouraged parents to use National Teen Driver Safety Week as a starting point for ongoing dialogue about responsible driving.
For more information about teen driver safety and resources for parents, visit the NHTSA’s website at www.nhtsa.gov/road-safety/teen-driving.
