South OC Times

National Teen Driver Safety Week, scheduled for October 20-26, is a time when the Orange County Sheriff’s Department is urging parents and caregivers to engage in discussions with their teens about road safety. The department emphasizes the importance of safe driving habits to prevent fatalities.

Teen car crashes remain a significant concern, as they are one of the leading causes of death among teenagers aged 15-18 in the United States. Data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reveals that in 2022, there were 2,514 fatalities in crashes involving teen drivers. In California alone, young drivers accounted for nearly 12% of all fatal crashes despite representing only 5% of licensed drivers nationwide.

The department highlights the importance of addressing risky behaviors such as speeding, texting while driving, and not wearing seatbelts. Additionally, it stresses the severe risks associated with driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

"Parents and caregivers play a huge part in keeping teens safe on the road,” said Orange County Sheriff’s Department Sergeant Kyle Ishii. “Having these meaningful conversations, setting rules, and being a role model for safe driving can help teens make better choices when they’re driving."

To facilitate these discussions, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department provides several tips:

1. **Provisional Driver’s License**: Understand California's provisional licensing law which imposes restrictions on passengers and nighttime driving during a driver's first year.

2. **Lead by Example**: Conduct driving sessions with your teen to demonstrate safe driving practices.

3. **Set Ground Rules**: Establish firm rules regarding phone use, distractions from friends, speed limits adherence, and seatbelt usage. Consider creating a parent-teen driving contract.

4. **Sober Driving**: Stress the importance of never driving impaired or riding with someone who has been drinking or using drugs.

This initiative receives funding through a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety via the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.