San Rafael Police Encourages Parents Of Newly Licensed Teens To Discuss The Importance Of Safe Driving

Press release from the San Rafael Police Department:

October 18, 2021

National Teen Driver Safety Week is October 17-23

San Rafael, CA – As part of National Teen Driver Safety Week October 17-23, the San Rafael Police Department reminds parents and guardians of the importance of talking to their teen(s) about driving responsibly and safely.

Driving remains the most dangerous activity for teens. Per mile driven, teen drivers are nearly four times as likely to be involved in a crash as drivers in all other age groups. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), speeding was a factor in 43% of all teen driver and passenger fatalities from 2015 to 2019, compared to approximately 30% of all traffic deaths among adults 20 and older.

“Like most skills, experience and training make you better and more prepared as a driver,” Lieutenant Todd Berringer said. “Teen drivers are naturally inexperienced and more likely to take risks and pick up bad habits, which is why it is important for parents and caregivers to play an active role in instilling safe driving habits in their teen.”

SRPD offers the following tips to parents and guardians for starting conversations about safe driving with teens:

Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

This press release was produced by the San Rafael Police Department. The views expressed here are the author’s own.