National Teen Driver Safety Week is Oct. 18-24
Rialto, Calif. – This week (Oct. 18-24) is National Teen Driver Safety Week, and the Rialto Police Department is encouraging parents to discuss the importance of safe driving habits with their teens as newly licensed drivers.
This week, and every week, we want parents to get involved with their teen’s new responsibilities as a driver and help them understand the rules of the road.
“Today’s teens have more distractions than ever; couple this with being inexperienced and it becomes a very dangerous combination” Rialto Police Chief Mark Kling said. “It is very important that parents take the time to teach their teens how to drive safely and be responsible. This personal responsibility begins by practicing good driving habits like always wearing a seatbelt, obeying the speed limit and not using a cell phone while driving”.
The greatest risk for teen drivers is distracted driving, speeding, and impairment. Throughout the week the Rialto Police Department offers tips to parents and caregivers on how to talk to teens about the consequences of making dangerous and illegal choices behind the wheel.
- Avoid Distractions: Cell phone use while driving is illegal. Drivers under 18 are not allowed to use a phone or other electronic device for any reason, including hands-free.
- Understand Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) Laws: For the first 12 months you have a license or until the age of 18, no passengers under 20 years old are allowed unless a licensed parent, guardian or another adult 25 years old or older is in the car with you. Late-night driving (between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m.) is also not permitted.
- Never Drive Under the Influence: All teens are too young to legally buy, possess or consume alcohol. Under California’s zero-tolerance law, any driver under 21 cannot drink any alcohol and drive (blood alcohol concentration of .01% or higher).
- Follow the Speed Limit: The road is not a racetrack. Speeding is risky behavior that increases the chances of serious injury or death in a crash.
It’s important for parents to let their teens know that driving is not a right, but a privilege. It can be taken away when they don’t follow the rules.
For more safe driving tips to share with your teens, visit gosafelyca.org. To learn more about state laws for different traffic safety issues, visit the Governors Highway Safety Association website.
Funding for this program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.