Car crashes continue to be the leading cause of death for teenagers. The primary factors leading to these fatal crashes are inexperience, speed, and distractions, particularly those created by young passengers. In fact, the presence of one passenger doubles the fatal crash risk for a teen driver but goes up four to five times as much with three or more teen passengers, according to research from the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
In an effort to prevent teen fatal crashes, the Delaware Office of Highway Safety is participating in National Teen Driver Safety Week, Oct. 19 to 25, by reaching out to both teen drivers and their parents. As part of the week’s planned activities, OHS will host three Graduated Driver Licensing Parent Orientation Programs in the state. The program will be presented at Milford High School, Lake Forest High School and Christiana High School during this special week. The Parent Orientation Program is primarily for the parents of teens going through driver education classes in these schools and their children are required to attend as well. The Milford High School program begins at 7 p.m. in the auditorium.
“These programs provide an opportunity for a panel of safety experts to share important information that parents need to know, yet aren’t often aware of, about the state’s GDL laws. It also provides them with tips for keeping their teens safe as they prepare to get their learner’s permits,” said Andrea Summers, Teen Driving Program Coordinator and spokesperson for OHS.
Delaware’s GDL law, recognized as one of the nation’s strongest, places a one-person passenger restriction on new teen drivers for the first year, with some exceptions made for family members during the first six months. However, parents should remember that when teens during and after their permit time are allowed to carry young passengers, the risk seems to climb dramatically for the 12 to 14 year olds…often the younger siblings of teen drivers.
That’s why OHS is encouraging teens to visit the “Ride Like A Friend,” campaign website at www.ridelikeafriend.com, which promotes safe passenger behaviors. “Ride Like A Friend” includes activities showcasing what teens can do as passengers to reduce the risk of a crash. Teens can help friends who are driving by keeping distractions to a minimum, wearing seatbelts and helping with directions when asked. There is even a Facebook application on the website and a chance for teens to vote for the most annoying distracting behaviors they see. Parents can also gain useful tips on the Web site or by visiting the www.chop.edu and typing “teen driver safety week” into the search box.
Additionally, students from local high schools are taking an active role in keeping their friends safe by stepping up to the microphone. Students from AI DuPont, Delmar, Sussex Tech high schools and the Charter High School of Wilmington have recorded PSA’s to spread the message about safe driving, and how to “Ride Like A Friend.” The PSA’s are airing on Delmarva Broadcasting stations throughout the First State.
Delaware’s GDL Law allows teens to get their driving permit starting at age 16. For the first six months they must drive under adult supervision at all times, carry no more than one additional non-related passenger in the backseat, and log 50 hours of driving time with their parents, with 10 of those hours occurring at night.
During the second six months of the permit period, teens are permitted to drive unsupervised between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. If driving after 10 p.m. they must again be supervised with a few special exceptions. Cell phone use, including text messaging, is prohibited during the first year of driving, and failure to wear a seat belt will earn the teen a two month license suspension. A new addition to the law this year is that parents who knowingly allow their children to drive unsupervised may face 30 days in jail or a $575 fine.
Since the implementation of the GDL law in Delaware in June of 1999, crashes involving 16 year old drivers have been cut from 1,001 in 1998, to 465 in 2007. Last year, 12 teens were killed in motor vehicle crashes in the first state.
For more information on teen driving safety tips, visit the OHS Web site at www.ohs.delaware.gov.
Delaware —
