Governor Rendell Proclaims Oct. 18-24 Teen Driver Safety Week
October 20, 2009
PennDOT recently reminded teen drivers of the deadly consequences of driving while distracted and encouraged parents to talk with young drivers about unsafe driving behaviors. Governor Edward G. Rendell has proclaimed Oct. 18-24 as Teen Driver Safety Week to coincide with the national observance.
"Teen drivers lack the experience needed to recognize and react to high-risk conditions and situations on roadways," said PennDOT Secretary Allen D. Biehler, P.E. "Distractions such as additional passengers in the vehicle, talking or texting on the cell phone, adjusting the radio, and eating while driving only compound the inexperience factor and increase the risk of a crash occurring."
The 23,059 crashes involving 16- to 19-year-old drivers in Pennsylvania in 2008 resulted in 194 fatalities. Although more than one factor may contribute to a crash, statistics show that driver distractions are major contributors to highway crashes as these behaviors take the teen driver's full attention away from the driving task. Driver distractions contributed to approximately 10 percent of crashes involving 16- to 19-year-old drivers in 2008. Additionally, driving too fast for conditions, driver inexperience, and improper or careless turning were also major contributors to highway crashes.
In fact, 39 percent of the crashes involving a 16- to 19-year-old driver in 2008 involved at least one of these factors. The risk of a crash involving any of these factors can be reduced through practice, limiting the number of passengers a teen driver can have in a vehicle, parents setting a good example for the teen driver, obeying all rules of the road and exercising common sense.
With this in mind, PennDOT offers the following safety tips to teen drivers:
* Always wear your seat belt.
* Do not drink and drive; drinking under the age of 21 is illegal.
* Do not talk or text on your cell phone while driving.
* Obey the speed limit; driving too fast gives you less time to react.
* Do not eat or drink while driving.
* Adjust radio and climate controls before beginning your trip, have your
