Murrieta Police Promote National Teen Driver Safety Week

From the Murrieta Police Department:

MURRIETA, CA - This week, October 16-22, 2016 is National Teen Driver Safety Week. The Murrieta Police Department along with the California Office of Traffic Safety and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration are trying to get the word out to parenrts and teens to take a minute and think about driving safely.

Our new drivers often display risk taking behaviors when parents are not with them in their cars. They often speed, do not use a seatbelt, may drive while intoxicated or under the influence of prescription or illicit drugs, use their cell phones while driving, and carry passengers when restricted to solo driving. All these behaviors can and do lead to an increased accident rate among teens. In 2014, the leading cause of death among 15-19 year olds was motor vehicle crashes. It is the most dangerous activity your teen participates in on a daily basis in that age range. Nationally, in 2014, there were 2,679 teen drivers killed in car crashes and an estimated 123,000 teens injured in car crashes.

Parents, take time this week to begin a conversation with your teen drivers. Set the rules before they hit the road and use the "5 to Drive" Campaign to make them safer drivers. Remind them that 1. Never use alcohol or drugs and drive, 2. Do not speed, 3. Always use a seatbelt, 4. Turn their phones off while driving, and 5. No passengers during that first year of driving and no extra passengers after the restriction is past.
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