October 16, 2023
This week - and every week, parents should have conversations with their teens about the important rules they need to follow to stay safe behind the wheel of a motor vehicle. These rules address the greatest dangers for teen drivers: alcohol, inconsistent or no seat belt use, distracted and drowsy driving, speeding, and number of passengers.
This event, now in its 16th year, is dedicated to raising awareness of teen driving safety issues. This grassroot movements brings together teens, parents, schools and other traffic stakeholder to address this issue which kills thousands of teen every year. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for teens in the United States, with 2,608 fatalities in 2021. Here in Montana, there have been 130 teen fatalities over the last five years. Of those, 63% were unrestrained. In addition, teens account for over 4,300 crashes each year on average.
Parents play an important role in helping ensure their teen drivers take smart steps to stay safe on the road. NHTSA gives parents tips on how to talk about safe driving behaviors with their teens.