Teen Driving Safety Emphasis Area

CHALLENGE

Teens (ages 13—19) account for a disproportionate number of serious injuries and fatal crashes. This fact has been associated with young drivers' inexperience, distractions, and driving behaviors. Only about eight percent of all licensed drivers in Utah fall into the younger driver category, yet they account for 21 percent of all motor vehicle crashes.

DIRECTION

Focus collaborative efforts utilizing innovative methods to decrease teen fatalities on Utah roads by:

  • Empowering parents
  • Improving teen driver capabilities
  • Preparing pre-drivers.

PRIORITY STRATEGIES

Education
  • Support overall teen driver education.
  • Support continued innovation in driver education methods.
  • Explore partnering with private driver education or involve teens and parents in local Parent Nights.
  • Reach the goal of 100% of public High Schools receiving Parent Night presentation.
  • Provide peer leader training, education and outreach to high schools.
  • Educating parents and teen drivers on the enforcing of Utah's Graduated Driver License laws.
  • Educate teens on how to drive safely around big trucks through the Truck Smart program.
  • Promote the “Alive at 25” program.
  • Educate on Utah's “Not a Drop” law, which prohibits anyone under the age of 21 from drinking alcohol.
  • Begin efforts for a Teen Education Safety Summit.
Enforcement
  • Support and enforce the Graduated Driver License laws.
  • Encourage enforcement of distracted teen driver laws.
Emergency Medical Services

Engage local emergency medical service providers and Hospitals in local educational programs.

LEADERS
  • Utah Department of Public Safety:
    • Highway Safety Office,
    • Utah Highway Patrol,
    • Driver License Division
  • Utah Department of Health:
    • Violence and Injury Prevention Program,
    • Bureau of EMS and Preparedness
  • AAA Utah,
  • Utah Driver and Traffic Safety Education Association,
  • Utah Operation Lifesaver,
  • Utah Safety Council,
  • Zero Fatalities,
  • Utah Department of Transportation: Motor Carriers Division,
  • Utah Office of Education,
  • Safe Kids Utah,
  • Local Health Departments,
  • Primary Children’s Hospital.
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