National Teen Driver Safety Week is October 16th – 22nd
BURNSVILLE, MN (October 16, 2016) – Teen involved crash fatalities increased 10% in 2015 according to a new report from the Governors Highway Safety Association. Since distracted driving is the number one cause of teen driver crashes and teen passengers are the number one distraction for teen drivers, AAA wants every teen to Be A Good Passenger by following these guidelines:
Don’t Distract the Driver
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Avoid unnecessary conversations.
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Avoid unnecessary phone use.
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Don’t pull the drivers attention away from the road.
Assist the Driver for a Safer Ride
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Silence phone notifications/rings. Answer only when necessary.
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Adjust AC/Music/GPS as needed.
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Navigate and stay alert to help the driver avoid danger.
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If you see unsafe behavior, say something.
“We all know how distracting cell phones can be, but driving with teen passengers is even more dangerous for our younger drivers,” said Amy Stracke, Managing Director of Traffic Safety Advocacy for AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Make sure all the teen drivers in your life know the dangers and how to stay safe.”
AAA also recommends that parents get involved as their teens learn to drive by helping them practice in varying conditions, enrolling them in a driver education program, and setting a good example behind the wheel. Resources to help parents choose a class and coach their teen through the learning-to drive process can be found on AAA’s award-winning website TeenDriving.AAA.com.
