Newark Police Reminds Parents They Are Key To Teen Driving Success

NEWARK, CA — National Teen Driver Safety Week is October 16-22 and the Newark Police Department said the perfect time to talk with teens about safe driving habits.

“Parents play a critical role in teen driver safety and in communicating important driving safety information,” Newark Police Capt. Jolie Macias said.

According a news release issued by Newark PD, this year, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is teaming up with them to “empower parents to discuss safe driving habits” with their Teens.

“Assure your teen driver knows the Rules of the Road before you hand over the keys,” the news release said, adding that ultimately, parents are in control.

Statistics from the NHTSA show that motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of death for teens ages 15 to 18 in the United States.

“There were 2,276 people killed in crashes involving a teen passenger vehicle driver (15-18 years old) in 2020; 748 of the deaths were the teen driver,” the news release said. “In 2020, an estimated 90,564 teen passenger vehicle drivers were injured in motor vehicle traffic crashes and an estimated 153,566 people were injured in crashes involving a teen driver, accounting for almost 7% of all roadway injuries that year.”

Macias said that new teen drivers are still gaining experience behind the wheel increasing the chances of them finding themselves, and those around them, in dangerous situations

“New teen drivers are still gaining experience behind the wheel, which increases the chance of dangerous situations for the teen and other roadway users around them,” she said. “This is why it’s so important for parents to have these discussions with their teens. Start the conversation today and continue it every day.”

Parents are responsible to teach their teens how to make smart choices to stay safe on the road and NHTSA has plenty of information to share with parents on how to start the discussion on its website.

Tips include discussions on how to influence positive behaviors and how to approach dangerous and deadly driving behaviors such as alcohol and other drug use, lack of seat belt use, distracted driving, speeding, or driving with passengers.

“NHTSA offers parents and caregivers helpful tips and a framework for having discussions with teen drivers about risky driving behaviors that can lead to fatal consequences,” Macias said.

Teens need to understand the rules, whether there are any other restrictions outlined in California’s graduated driver licensing (GDL) law, and the deadly consequences that could occur. By knowing and enforcing the laws, the teen driver’s safety and that of other road users can be improved,” the news release said.

“Teens will learn much of this content in driver education, but it’s through parent conversations and their home environment that the lessons are driven home and the rules enforced,” Macias said. “Parents should set these rules before handing over the car keys. They need to be proactive and start the conversation about safe driving during National Teen Driver Safety Week, then keep the conversations going every day. Teaching teens safe behaviors behind the wheel is a shared responsibility, and we all have a part to play.”