Contents:
Principal Investigator:
Dr. Kenneth H. Beck
Technical Director:
Dr. Min Qi Wang
The contribution of the following organizations is acknowledged:
Maryland
Highway Safety Office
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Teen drivers are at an increased risk
for crashes due to their driving inexperience
and immaturity. They lack experience
in judging speed and distance, reacting
to sudden changes, avoiding distractions,
driving in the dark, and driving in
adverse weather. Teens are also
less likely than older drivers to wear
their safety belts. These factors put
teen drivers at a high risk for death
or injury due to a motor vehicle crash.
In fact, motor vehicle crashes are the
leading cause of death for teens of
driving age.
The goal of this website is to
help parents prepare their teens to be
safe and experienced drivers. In an
effort to provide quick, meaningful information
for parents of young drivers, we have developed
the following eight fact sheets:
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| Fact: If
convicted of a moving violation, provisionally
licensed teens must restart the 18 month
training period. Moving violations will require
completion of remedial driver education classes
and may result in license suspension or
revocation. |
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Tip: Set a good
example for your teen by
• driving the speed
limit
• always wearing your seat belt
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avoiding driving distractions such as cell phone
use
• driving defensively.
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Teen Driver Statistics
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| Fact: From
1996-2000, more than 1 out of every 10 licensed
Maryland teen drivers was involved in a motor
vehicle crash. |
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Tip:
• Use the http://www.mva.state.md.us/Resources/RD-016.pdf
with your newly licensed teen
to set up specific driving rules and
consequences.
• Restrictions for high-risk
situations such as driving with teen passengers
and driving at night are especially
important. |
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Driving Under the Influence
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| Fact: A
2001 survey showed that 30% of Maryland 12th
graders had driven a car after drinking.
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Tip:
• Tell your
teen driver how you feel about drinking and
driving.
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Driving Distractions
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| Fact: For
teen drivers, the presence of one teen passenger
nearly doubles the risk of a fatal crash. Having
two or more teen passengers carries five times
the risk of a fatal crash as compared to driving
alone. |
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Tip:
• Limit the
number of teen passengers your teen can have to
zero or one.
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Maryland Driving Laws
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| Fact:
Under certain circumstances, parents may be held
liable for damages that occur as a result of a
teen’s negligence. Parents may be held
responsible not only for permitting or
encouraging dangerous conduct but also for
failing to discourage activities that result in
injury or damages (e.g., drinking and driving).
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Tip:
• Talk to
your teen about Maryland driving laws.
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Seat Belt Use
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| Fact: In
2001, only 36% of young drivers involved in
crashes were wearing safety belts.
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Tip:
• Set an
example by always wearing your seat belt as a
driver and a passenger.
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High-Risk Conditions
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| Fact: In
2001, 39% of young drivers involved in crashes
were driving between the hours of 6 p.m. and 6
a.m. |
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Tip:
• Limit your
newly licensed teen driver to driving in
daylight only.
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Aggressive Driving
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| Fact:
Maryland law defines aggressive driving as a
combination of three or more offenses, such as
speeding, tailgating, or running a red light,
committed during a single period of
driving. |
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Tip:
• Tell your
teen to avoid eye contact with an aggressive or
angry driver and not to retaliate.
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Parents, remember that you have a great deal of
influence over your young drivers!
- Parent’s driving styles influence the way their
children drive, so set a good example and talk to your
teen to establish driving rules and consequences.
- The loss of driving privileges can be a powerful
incentive for teens to follow rules and, consequently,
to practice safe driving!
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