National Teen Driver Safety Week: Having important conversations to reduce risks

JACKSON, Tenn. — October 20-26 is National Teen Driver Safety Week and parents are the key to safe teen driving.

An average of 7 teens die every day in traffic crashes nationwide. Use this week to talk to teens about the importance of driving safety. Remind teens that driving under the influence of any impairing substance — including many prescription drugs — can have deadly consequences.

Encourage them to always buckle up and to avoid distracted driving. Cell phone use, other passengers, audio and climate controls and eating or drinking while driving can be dangerous for any driver.

Plus, remind teens to always drive within the speed limit. Parents should also encourage their teens and all family members to speak up if they are in a vehicle being driven unsafely.

“The best way to start a conversation is to find out the headspace that your teen is in. What do they know about driving? So, you know, you wanna hear them, you wanna hear them talk, you wanna hear what they have to say,” said Michelle Anderson, director of operations at NRSF.

Surveys show that teens whose parents have discussions on safe driving behavior and set firm rules are typically engaged in less risky driving behaviors.

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