National Teen Driver Safety Week began October 14, but parents in Michigan can play a key role in keeping young drivers safe all year long.
During the week of October 14-21, young people across the state attended lectures, watched films and participated in programs aimed at promoting safety behind the wheel. It was all a part of National Teen Driver Safety Week, sponsored by the National Traffic Highway Safety Administration.
But parental education of teen drivers should take place every day.
“The influence of parents on the development of a teen driver cannot be underestimated,” said Michael L. Prince, Director of Michigan’s Office of Highway Safety Planning (OHSP), in a press release. “Taking simple steps such as establishing rules about cell phone and seat belt use or the number of passengers in a vehicle provides the teen driver an environment to develop good driving habits.”
The Michigan Injury Lawyers supports National Teen Driver Safety Week. We believe good driving habits should begin as early as possible.
Some tips for parents of teen drivers:
- Be a good role model by following the rules of the road and not using a cell phone while driving.
- Don’t be afraid to set rules and enforce them.
- Be involved in your teen’s activities in a helpful, supportive way.
- Talk to teens about being good passengers by not distracting the driver.
- Encourage seat belt use.
- Remember that what you say to your teen about driving could very well save a life.
Youthful drivers are a major roadway risk. Last year in Michigan, 156 people were killed and 1,324 were seriously injured in crashes involving drivers age 16-20. More than half of those killed (85) were between 16 and 20 years old.
Additional resources are available through Michigan’s Strive For A Safer Drive (S4SD) program, which helps schools and organizations develop student-led, peer-to-peer traffic safety awareness campaigns. Visit www.michigan.gov/s4sd for more details.
Contact a Michigan Auto Injury Lawyer at The Michigan Injury Lawyers, P.C. Today
If you or your teen has been in an auto accident and wish to discuss your legal rights and options, call the accident and injury lawyers at The Michigan Injury Lawyers at 866-474-8357 or use our online contact form. Compensation might be available. If there is no recovery in your case, you pay us no fee.
Sources:
- National Highway Traffic Safety Administration http://www.nhtsa.gov/Teen-Drivers
- Michigan State Police http://www.michigan.gov/msp/0,4643,7-123-58984—,00.html
- Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning http://www.michigan.gov/msp/0,1607,7-123-1593_3504—,00.html