Today, the New York Times published a piece asking, “Should We Increase Requirements for Teenage Drivers?” emphasizing the role parents play in instilling responsible behavior even after their child has received a license. In the article Pam Fischer, who oversees the New Jersey Teen Safe Driving Coalition, offers the statistic that, “Teenagers whose parents set rules and monitor their independent driving are half as likely to get into a crash as teenagers with no parental supervision; and they’re 71 percent less likely to drive while intoxicated and 50 percent more likely to use their seat belts.” As a result, she helped lobby for a bill that would have required parents to attend a driving safety class before their child would be eligible for a license.

The bill, which was ultimately vetoed by New Jersey governor Chris Christie, would have also upped the number of practice hours and increased the permit period before a license would be given. As Russ Rader of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety asserts, “Parental involvement is crucial to making graduated licensing systems work, because parents are the first line enforcers of the law.” This might be why Connecticut has seen a reduction in the number of accidents since implementing a parent safety class, similar to what was proposed in New Jersey, back in 2008.

Although some parents are irritated by what they perceive to be just one more hoop to jump through, Bill Seymour, the director of communications for Connecticut’s Department of Motor Vehicles insists the program is working. Seymour says, “The numbers are clear — deaths are dramatically down, accidents with injuries are dramatically down.” The New York Times article adds: “State figures show that crashes in Connecticut in which 16- or 17-year-old drivers were considered a contributing factor fell by 28 percent in the two years after the rules went into effect.”

In spite of compelling evidence that stricter regulations of teen drivers can have a serious impact on reducing the number of accidents, the article barely touches on the equally important question of finding the right balance between safety and freedom. It’s not just a question of whether parents influence their teen driver’s safety, but also a question of where do you draw the line. How involved should the DMV be when it comes to emphasizing parental supervision? Are mandatory parent safety classes worth requiring as long as they show a positive correlation with reducing accidents, or is this taking things one step too far?

There might not be a clear cut answer, but as Ms. Fischer and other advocates of the bill look to reintroduce it early this year, it will be interesting to see whether similar programs begin to be considered elsewhere across the country.

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For many parents, the idea of buying your teen a new car is frightening. If your son or daughter’s new drivers license wasn’t enough, buying them their own car grants an unparalleled freedom that is at times difficult to monitor. That’s why many families draft a parent-teen safe driver contract to assure safe driving decisions even when you’re not in the car. But it’s also important to research the safest cars on the market, to assure that your teen driver will stay safe even if something unpredictable happens. Over the past year, Consumer Reports has done a great job of highlighting safe cars for teen drivers, with a special emphasis on affordability.

In March, for example, Consumer Reports isolated 8 models that could all be purchased for under $12,000. The next month, the Wall Street Journal released its own list of safe cars for teens. Surprisingly, the two lists had no overlaps, due largely to the fact that the WSJ didn’t take cost into account. So if you’re looking to save a bundle while keeping your teenager safe on the roads, refer to the Consumer Reports list. And their new list of safe, fuel efficient cars provides a new point to consider, for those who want to save on gas prices and reduce their carbon footprint.

This new list focuses on small, fuel efficient cars, noting that “their structure has improved to provide better impact absorption and occupant protection, and they now are commonly equipped with standard key safety features, such as antilock brakes, side-curtain air bags, and stability control.” This is a major step forward, and a sign that cars can fulfill a triple whammy: safe, affordable, and easy on the environment.

We cross listed the first Consumer Reports list of safe cars under $12,000, and the new list that highlights small, fuel efficient cars, and found four overlaps: the Hyundai Elantra, the Mazda3, the Scion xB, and the Volkswagen Jetta. Thus, from a non-scientific perspective, these makes and models would be fantastic affordable and fuel efficient options to keep your teen driver safe behind the wheel.

Want to share your stories about teen driver safety? Or do you have a car suggestion? Leave your thoughts in the comments section, or on our Facebook page.

Photo credit: theKCB

Drivers are at the highest risk of being involved in a car accident after the first year of receiving their license. To help fill the gaps in driver experience, the NSC has developed a set of resources, including an “Alive at 25 Parent Program” online training on how to reinforce safe behavior, and a one-hour free webinar for parents on June 13. So whether you’re a teen or the parent of a teen, check out the NSC’s resources and events next week to boost your understanding of the complications that can make summer driving dangerous.

We’ve also developed a few helpful resources for teens and parents. First, it can be helpful to draft a parent-teen safe driving contract that rewards safe behavior and penalizes reckless driving. And consider slipping a copy of our step-by-step list of what to do after a car accident into the driver’s glove box. Though we hope you never have to use it, it’s a great reference to have in case of an emergency.

Have a great Teen Driver Safety Week. And remember to drive safe at all times.

Photo credit: beardenb

So now that summer is here to stay, we wanted to highlight the week’s best articles and blog posts related to teen drivers and cyclists here in the Bay Area and across the country. Take a look, and let us know what we missed in the comments section, or on our Facebook page.

• “Focus on Teen Driver Safety This Summer.” San Lorenzo Patch.
• “In Bay Area, Young Cyclists Are at Highest Risk.” The Bay Citizen.
• “SFMTA: 15 MPH School Zones Could Be Implemented Within the Year.” StreetsblogSF.
• “Video: Consumer Reports Teaches Teens How to Control Sliding Car.” Consumer Reports Cars Blog.
• “NHTSA Chief: ‘A Car is not a Mobile Device.’” Detroit Free Press.

So have a great (and safe) weekend. And keep in mind that the National Safety Council’s Teen Driving Safety Week begins next week, so it’s a great time to introduce a parent-teen safe driving contract.

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Between 2005 and 2009, AAA reports, 7,300 teen drivers have been killed in summer car accidents. On average, 422 teens are killed each summer month, compared to 363 teen deaths during the non-summer months. “Parents should not underestimate the critical role they play in keeping their teens safe, especially during these high-risk months,” said AAA Vice President of Public Affairs Kathleen Marvaso. “With the majority of the most dangerous days falling during the traditional summer vacation months, parents must realize that there is no summer break from safety and be vigilant about remaining involved and enforcing rules with their teens.”

There are a number of actions that parents and teen drivers can take to reduce the chance of a teen car accident this summer. First of all, write a parent-teen safe driving contract to assure that the driver is obeying all traffic laws and steering clear of dangerous decisions like distracted driving. Since teens can get their drivers permit at 16 and unrestricted licence at 18, the summer months are perfect for boosting knowledge for the drivers tests. Once you’re ready for the test, visit a California DMV office and get your license.

Photo credit: Amanda Wagner

Teen Motorcycle Statistics

• 205 young motorcycle riders 15 to 20 years old were killed, and 5,000 were injured in 2009.
• 26 percent of the motorcycle riders between 15 and 20 years old who were fatally injured in 2009 were not wearing helmets.
• Of the young motorcycle riders involved in fatal crashes in 2009, 39 percent were either unlicensed or driving with an invalid license.
• 326 young motorcycle operators 15 to 20 years old were killed and 9,000 were injured in 2005.
• 32 percent of the motorcycle drivers between 15 and 20 years old who were fatally injured in 2005 were not wearing helmets.
• Of the young motorcycle drivers involved in fatal crashes in 2005, more than one-third (40%) were either unlicensed or driving with an invalid license.

As you can see, the statistics of teen motorcycle accident injuries and fatalities have improved a great deal since 2005. In 2009, for example, there were 37 percent fewer teen motorcycle deaths and 44 percent fewer injuries than only four years before. But while the trend is encouraging, 200 teen deaths and 5000 injuries are far too many, and state governments should take serious steps toward improving motorcycle safety.

California Minors’ Motorcycle Permit Requirements

The statistics are daunting, but they do not mean that teenagers should not automatically stay away from motorcycles. In fact, if teens drive cautiously, obey all traffic signs, and wear the appropriate safety equipment, they can ride just as safety as adult motorcyclists. So if you or your teenager is still interested in getting a motorcycle here in California, follow these steps to fulfill the requirements to get a teen motorcycle permit. And visit the California DMV for more information.

• Be 15 ½ years of age and bring proof you have finished both driver education and driver training. (Certificates of Completion of Driver Education and Completion of Driver Training are required) or be currently licensed.
• Complete the application requirements.
• Have your parents’ * signatures on the application form.
• Provide a Completion of Motorcycle Training Certificate (DL389) from an approved CHP motorcycle rider training course. Applicants under 21 years of age are required by law to provide a DL 389 before issuance of an instruction permit. Motorcycle training courses are located throughout California. For more information and to locate the nearest training site, call 1-877RIDE-411 or visit www.ca-msp.org.

California Minors’ Motorcycle License Requirements

• Complete the requirements listed above.
• Be at least 16 years old.
• Hold a Class M1/M2 permit for 6 months prior to the issuance of a motorcycle license.

So if you’re a teen who’s planning to get your motorcycle permit this summer, be sure you follow all traffic laws, wear a helmet, and share the road with other cars, motorcycles, bicycles and pedestrians.

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Between 2005 and 2009, there were more than 14,000 bike accidents throughout the Bay Area. Of those, a surprising 3,200 (23%) involved children aged 10 to 19. Half of those accidents involved children aged 12 to 16. According to the data, San Jose was the most dangerous Bay Area city, with 434 accidents, followed by a distant Oakland, with 193 bike accidents. Geography aside, the daunting statistics indicate that cities throughout the Bay Area need to boost efforts to improve bicycle safety and save lives.

Part of the problem is that teens simply don’t know about California bicycle laws. Oakland Police Department Sergeant Steve Paich, for example, told the Bay Citizen that teenagers don’t even know they cannot bike through the crosswalk. “Riding in a crosswalk,” he said, “means you’re riding on the wrong side of the road,” which makes up for a large percentage of bike tickets.

The situation is even more hopeless when it comes to bike helmet laws. California requires that all children under the age of 17 wear helmets while riding their bicycle. But even if teens know this, they’re likely to break the law. “I still have to say it becomes difficult to get teenagers to wear a helmet,” said Stacey Perry, head of bicycle safety for the Oakland Police Department’s Traffic Safety Unit. “You want to put every kind of spin possible. To be honest, they really don’t want to hear about the safety part.”

I hope the Bay Citizen’s great app will raise awareness about Bay Area bicycle danger. But making substantive changes to improve bicycle safety will take infrastructure improvements in addition to an attitude shift that will cause cyclists of all ages to take bicycle safety more seriously.

Photo credit: GJELblogger

Take a look at the numbers. The summer months account for nearly twice as many teen car accident deaths thank the rest of the year combined, according to the NHTSA. And teen drivers are responsible for about 50 percent more drunk driving accidents during the summer. We’ve developed a comprehensive California Teen Driver Summer Resource on the News Center, complete with more statistics about the dangers of summer driving, suggestions on how to choose a drivers education course, interactive map of California DMV offices to take the driver test, and an interactive calendar of California driver safety events.

Take a look at our summer resource for teen drivers. And share your thoughts and stories in the comments section or on our Facebook page.

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Teen drivers throughout the country are faced with countless dangers on city streets and highways. Teens are the demographic most likely to cause car a accident, technology poses the temptation for distracted driving, and scientific studies have even shown that the teen brain may not have developed the motor skills and emotional maturity to drive safely. As California teens hit the road more during the summer holiday, they should take precautions to stay safe and aware at all times. And since California teens receive their restricted license at 16 and their unrestricted license at 18, they can take the summer to boost their knowledge of state driver laws and practice safe driving techniques.

This resource is designed to raise awareness about the increased danger of summer driving for California teens and suggest methods to improve driving skills during the summer months. Take a look, and share your teen driving stories on our Facebook page.

Summer Driving Statistics

Each year, the National Organizations for Youth Safety host May as National Youth Traffic Safety Month, to raise awareness about the increased dangers of teen driving during the summer months. Here are some important statistics to keep in mind throughout the summer:

• There are nearly twice as many car accident deaths during the summer months than the rest of the year combined, according to the NHTSA Fatality Analysis Recording System.
• Teenagers have been responsible for almost 50 percent more drunk driving accidents during the summer months than the rest of the year, according to the Washington Regional Alcohol Program.
• In the summer of 2008, nine teens between the ages of 16 and 19 died each day, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
• The NHTSA and AAA report that in Northern California, the 101 days between Memorial Day and Labor Day are the deadliest for people under 20. Teen car accidents begin to rise in May and reach their peak in July and August.
• An average of 104 drivers aged 16 and 17 are killed in both July and August, a 20 percent increase over other monthly teen car accident deaths, reports AAA.

Where to Get your License in California

There are many ways to prepare for the written and driving tests required to receive a California drivers license. First of all, visit the California Department of Motor Vehicles website for information on how to receive a license at any age. The CA DMV publication section also includes handbooks on California road laws and safety suggestions. For teens who learn better with audio and visual resources, the DMV provides an audio California Driver Handbook and videos on rules of the road, sharing the road, and the dangers of distracted driving.

If you feel that you would prepare more successfully for the drivers license tests in a classroom setting, most high schools will refer students to local, quality drivers education courses throughout California. Make sure the course has at least 30 hours of classroom instruction, and includes at least 6 hours of real driving experience. If you’re still having trouble, refer to this AAA guide on choosing a great driving school.

Once you’re ready for the test, call ahead to make an appointment with your local California DMV office. Refer to our interactive map below for address and phone number information of DMV offices throughout California:

View California DMVs in a larger map

California Summer Safety Events For Teen Drivers

Summer is the perfect time to brush up on your driving skills, because you’re free from the pressures of school work, after-school athletics practice, and other extra curricular activities. But there are plenty of opportunities to get involved outside of classroom education courses. Each year, a number of safety organizations in California and throughout the country support auto safety events designed to increase awareness and make drivers of all ages safer. June, for example, is National Safety Month, which includes Teen Driving Safety week and “On the Road, Off the Phone” week. View our full California motor caution calendar for more summer safety events:

For more teen driver safety resources, visit our Parent-Teen Safe Driving Contract and our checklist for what to do after a car accident.
Photo credit: Amanda Wagner

The month, sponsored by the National Organizations for Youth Safety, includes a set of innovative methods for improving teen driving safety. The Act Out Loud contest, adopted by 220 high schools nationwide, encourages teens to host safe driving projects in their home towns. One team in Santa Maria California, for example, put together an 11-step awareness campaign beginning with a 10 minute DVD about a 19 year-old killed in a distracted driving accident. The winning team will receive $10,000 to further their campaign against distracted driving.

“For a lot of teens, this time of year is about kicking back, relaxing, and foregetting about your responsibilities. But we have a full-time responsibility when we get behind the wheel,” said NOYS South Dakota youth leader Elliott Johnson. “These programs are a great opportunity to put the focus back on safety while kids are still in school so that everybody can have a fun, safe summer.”

Finally, the National Road Safety Foundation has produced a PSA that will air nationally thorough May as National Youth Traffic Safety Month. Take a look below:

For more information on methods to improve teen driver safety, visit our Parent-Teen Safe Driver Contract, Auto Accident Preparedness Checklist, and this list of Safest Cars for Teen Drivers, as rated by parents.