Officials talk about National Teen Driver Safety Week

JACKSON, Tenn. — Officials are reminding teens to use good habits while driving for National Teen Driver Safety Week.

“Things like alcohol, not using your seatbelt, drowsy driving, speeding even the number of passengers in your vehicle with you,” said public information officer for the Madison County Sheriff’s Office Tom Mapes. “We just need to be aware that kids need to be reminded of the important things to do.”

Mapes says it’s important for parents to talk to their teens about safe driving practices and the consequences they may face if they don’t follow the rules of the road. Mapes also wants to remind young drivers about Tennessee’s hands free law.

“That is something very important we all need to be aware of, especially make our teens aware of the fact that it’s a hands free state law now, so we can’t be holding cell phones now or other objects in our hands while driving like that, which would cause us to take our eyes off the road or just not concentrate,” Mapes said.

Mapes says distracted driving is a huge issue as well as making sure your seatbelt is buckled.

“When the teens are not wearing their seatbelts, about 90 percent of their younger passengers ages 13-19 die in crashes also, but wearing the seatbelt is so important and can make a difference between life and death,” said Mapes.

Mapes says it’s also important to be aware when switching lanes and speeding.

“So many crashes occur because of switching lanes,” said Mapes. “And speed naturally, just people going too fast. We need to slow it down and just be more aware of our surroundings, just be more alert.”

National Teen Driver Safety Week will run through Friday.