As National Teen Driver Safety Week runs Oct. 18-24, the Scotts Valley Police Department is urging parents and guardians to talk with teens about safe driving before handing over the keys.
Car crashes are a leading cause of death for teens ages 15 to 18 in the United States. In 2024, 2,320 people were killed in crashes involving a teen driver, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. In California, 496 people died that year in crashes involving drivers ages 20 and younger.
Speeding, texting while driving, failing to wear a seat belt and driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs are among the risky behaviors that can lead to serious crashes.
“Meaningful conversations at home can help shape the choices teens make on the road,” Scotts Valley Police Sgt. Sjon Tol said. “Parents and guardians who talk about distractions, speeding and impairment give teens the tools to navigate realworld risks and steer them toward safer habits every time they drive.”
The California Office of Traffic Safety recommends several steps parents, guardians and other adults can take to help teens become safer drivers:
- Know the rules: Review California’s provisional licensing and graduated driver licensing laws, which restrict passengers and nighttime driving during a teen’s first year with a license.
- Set an example: Model safe driving habits and use everyday trips as opportunities to discuss responsible behavior behind the wheel.
- Establish clear expectations: Reinforce the importance of obeying speed limits, wearing seat belts, avoiding distractions from passengers and never using a phone while driving.
- Create a driving contract: Parents, guardians and teens can use a teen driving contract to establish specific rules and expectations.
- Speak up: Encourage teens to say something when riding with a driver who is speeding, distracted, not wearing a seat belt or otherwise driving unsafely.
Teens can also prepare for driving through free resources offered by the California Department of Motor Vehicles, including its California Quick Reference Driver’s Handbook, educational driver safety videos and the Teen Driver Roadmap, a step-by-step video guide for teens and their parents.
Another resource, The Road Ahead, is a free, web-based driving simulation that allows teens, parents, educators, mentors and other California drivers to practice responding to realistic driving situations. A user guide provides instructions for using the simulation and facilitating discussions about the experience.
More information about teen driving safety is available through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
The program is funded by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
