Commentary

Teen driving: a rite of passage

For more than 75 years, getting a driver’s license has been a rite of passage for American teens. With their newly laminated card and the keys to the family car, kids go from being passengers dependent on their parents to independent drivers. It’s an important step on the road to adulthood.

Hollywood has helped romanticize this process. But the Hollywood viewpoint leaves little room for the extraordinary responsibilities every driver takes on, or the fact that new drivers do not have the experience to make good, safe decisions. Their lack of experience is a major reason why teens are statistically the most dangerous drivers on the road, according to studies by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety.

But gaining experience on the road is just one factor in keeping teens safe. Parents, grandparents and teachers should suggest (and enforce) other behaviors that help teens drive safely:

Practice with them, even after they’re licensed. Adults in the passenger seat can point out risky situations to teens and provide real-time advice to new drivers. But be careful not to nag and don’t become a distraction to your driver.
Keep other passengers out of the car. Driving with the distraction of friends or siblings is one of the riskiest things a new teen driver can do. Remind teens that it’s illegal in Colorado for drivers under 21 to carry more than one passenger, until the driver has been licensed for at least one year.
No phoning or texting while driving. Again, remind your teens of the new Colorado law (which came into effect on December 1) forbidding drivers under 18 from using a cell phone in any way, and forbidding adult drivers from texting while driving.
Keep teens off the road in bad weather until they’ve gained extensive experience under favorable road conditions.
No eating or drinking while driving. It’s a distraction both physically and mentally.
Start training early. Teaching young children how to be safe pedestrians and cyclists, and setting a good example in the car, can make them aware of safety long before they’re old enough to drive. Always wear your seatbelt, and avoid aggressive or angry behavior toward other drivers. Stay focused, serious, calm and, of course, sober when you’re driving.

For more information on safe teen driving, visit the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety at www.AAAFoundation.org. A new brochure on Colorado’s graduated driver licensing system is available. Call 303-753-8800, ext. 8349, to request a copy.

PSA contest attracts numerous entries
Colorado high school students were recently invited to design print, TV and radio public service announcements to help promote awareness of the state’s new cell phone law. More than 100 teens from schools across the state sent in entries.

Awards were announced at press conferences attended by Governor Ritter and State Patrol Chief Wolfinbarger. AAA Colorado congratulates the winners and would like to thank all students who entered the contest for their help in raising awareness of this important safety issue.

View some of the entries at www.coteendriver.com.

>>>Return to Table of Contents