Tips to keep teen drivers safe during summer

Teen drivers aren’t invincible, and studies show summer – when more drivers are joyriding or traveling – is when something is most likely to go wrong.

That’s the message from the National Safety Council, an Illinois-based non-profit dedicated to reducing fatal incidents. The council is championing an awareness campaign dubbed the "100 Deadliest Days", the period between Memorial Day to Labor Day. “As a group of days, it’s the riskiest period of time all year,” said Kathy Bernstein, senior manager of teen driving initiatives for the council. “It’s especially dangerous for new drivers.”Bernstein encouraged parents to actively stay involved with their teen driver. “It’s not enough to say ‘You have your license, you’re good to go,’” Bernstein said. "We really recommend parents be prescriptive in what they expect and that they hold their teen accountable.”Ask where are they driving, when they expect to return and who they are meeting. Aimless driving or “going out for the sake of going out” leads to disaster, Bernstein said.“The more purposeful the driving, the less the teen is likely to veer off course

.”Statistics for teen driving in summer are sobering. Nearly 1,000 people died in traffic collisions during the 100 Deadliest Days in 2012. Of those, more than half (550) were teenagers. Although the council emphasizes teen safety, the 100 Deadliest Days applies to all drivers.Avoid texting while driving and be mindful of your surroundings, Bernstein said,."Loud music or distractions from passengers can be more risky than texting. Teens need to realize those passengers are as bad – if not worse – than texting,” she said.

To help teens establish healthy habits, Bernstein suggests parents spend at least 30 minutes a week in the passenger seat while their teen drives. They also should create an agreement with their teen driver. The organization’s teen driving website, DriveItHome.org, offers contract for both parties to use as a guideline. It lays out expectations and requirements, and offers young drivers clarity on their exact responsibilities. Bernstein had the following suggestions for parents and their teen drivers:

• Encourage your teen driver to take extra precaution during summer months, when the most teens are on the road. According to statistics from the Federal Highway Administration, nearly 1,000 people died in traffic collisions during the 100 Deadliest Days in 2012. More than half were teenagers.
• Parents should take an active role in their teen driver. Ask where they are going, who they are meeting and when they expect to return.
• Create a teen contract and have them sign it as part of their agreement to drive sensibly.
• Utilize sources on the National Safety Council site for teen drivers. Go to: http://www.driveithome.org/Resources/Pages/parentteenagreement.aspx