From October 20 to 26, it’s National Teen Driver Safety Week, and the San Jose Police Department (SJPD) is seizing this opportunity to encourage parents and caregivers to have conversations with teens about the importance of following road rules and how safe driving can save lives.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, car accidents are the leading cause of death for teenagers aged 15 to 18 in the United States. In 2022, collisions involving teen drivers resulted in 2,514 fatalities. In California, despite young drivers making up only 5% of all licensed drivers nationwide, they were responsible for nearly 12% of all fatal crashes in 2022.
The SJPD is reminding parents and caregivers to pay attention to risky driving behaviors, such as speeding, texting while driving, and not wearing seatbelts. Additionally, teens need to grasp the serious consequences of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
A spokesperson from the San Jose Police Department stated, “Parents and caregivers play a crucial role in ensuring the safety of teens on the road. Through meaningful conversations, establishing rules, and modeling safe driving behaviors, they can help teens make better choices behind the wheel.”
To assist parents and guardians in initiating discussions about safe driving, the SJPD has provided the following recommendations: familiarize yourself with California’s provisional license laws, which impose restrictions on passengers and nighttime driving during the first year of a driver’s license. Lead by example; when driving with your child, demonstrate safe driving and explain the principles of responsible driving. Establish clear rules, ensuring strict adherence to guidelines that prohibit phone use, mandate compliance with speed limits, and require seatbelt use. It’s also vital to emphasize the absolute importance of not driving under the influence and avoiding rides with intoxicated or drug-affected individuals.
Through these measures, the San Jose Police Department hopes to significantly reduce the incidence of teen driving accidents and ensure the safety of young drivers on the roads.
