Police Warn of Graduation-Related Road Danger

Police and PennDOT say graduation season is among the most dangerous for young drivers and they offer some sobering statistics to back up the warnings.

Many private and pubic schools in the region are celebrating graduations this week. Conestoga High School's commencement exercises are slated for Tuesday night at Vilanova University.

Authorities caution that young drivers (as well as older drivers) who are thinking about all kinds of things at this time of year need to be extra-diligent while behind the wheel.

According to a news release passed along to TE Patch by Tredyffrin Police
"Driving is a huge responsibility that requires split-second decisions and
adriver’s full attention," said PennDOT Secretary Barry J. Schoch. "Being
distracted while driving, even for a second, is a potentially deadly
proposition that endangers everyone on the road. To put it simply, put
everything else aside and 'just drive.'"

Sobering Statistics

Over the past five years in Pennsylvania,there were nearly 4,000 crashes involving 16- and 17-year-old drivers who weredistracted, resulting in 18 deaths.

According to a recent study of nationwide crash statistics by the AAA
Foundation for Traffic Safety, 16- and 17-year old drivers are more likely
to be killed in a crash when they have young passengers in their vehicle.
Their risk of being involved in a crash increased by about 44 percent with one
passenger under age 21 accompanying them. The risk doubled with two
passengers under age 21, and quadrupled when three or more passengers under 21 were present.

Distracted driving is any action that draws attention away from the safe
operation of a vehicle. There are three types of driver distractions:
visual, causing drivers to take their eyes off the road; manual, causing drivers to take their hands off the wheel; and cognitive, causing drivers to take
their mind off the road.

One dangerous activity that involves all three types of distraction –
texting –has been addressed through the state’s new anti-texting law, which took effect in early March.  The law prohibits text-based communication while driving and makes texting while driving a primary offense carrying a $50 fine. For more information on the law, visit www.dot.state.pa.us and choose "Anti-Texting Law."

Teen Driver Law Specifics:

As part of Pennsylvania's new Teen Driver Law, drivers younger than 18 may
not transport more than one passenger who is under 18 and is not an immediate family member, unless the driver is accompanied by a parent or legal
guardian.

After six months the restrictions are modified to allow the under 18 driver
to have up to three passengers under age 18 who are not immediate family
members, but only if the driver has not been convicted of a driving violation and
has not been responsible for a reportable crash. More information can be found
by clicking on the "New Teen Driver Law 2011" button at www.dmv.state.pa.us.

What to Teach Young Drivers

According to PennDOT:

Crash risks can be reduced through driving practice, limiting the number of
passengers riding with a teen driver, parents setting a good example of safe
driving, obeying all rules of the road and by exercising common sense.