Teen Driving Safety Promoted in Arizona Through the Driving Skills for Life Program

January 04, 2011

With almost 3,000 teenagers killed in motor vehicle accidents in 2009 and another 350,000 injured, it is no surprise that car accidents are the leading cause of death for teens aged 15-19, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Even though drivers in this age group represent only 4 percent of the licensed drivers in Arizona, they account for 10 percent of motor vehicle accidents.

In an effort to reduce these statistics and promote safe driving, on-hands safety training was provided via the "Driving Skills for Life" program held early November in Chandler.

Driving Skills for Life, established by the Ford Motor Company in conjunction with the Governors Highway Safety Administration, focuses on teaching teens driving skills to combat the leading causes of car crashes for teens: distracted driving, vehicle handling, space management and speed control. The course is specially designed to let teen drivers experience hazardous road conditions in a controlled and safe environment.

Teens work with professional driving instructors to learn to:
- Minimize distractions
- Recognize dangerous situations and realize "the point of no return"
- Understand how acceleration, deceleration, braking and turns affect vehicle balance
- Follow at a safe distance and use emergency braking techniques
- Drive at a safe speed that won't danger or impede others
- Recover from skids in front- and rear-wheel drive vehicles
- Avoid being rear-ended
- Prevent head-on crashes

Increased Driving Safety Through Experience

As young drivers gain experience, teen involvement in automobile accidents decreases. Like many states, Arizona allows new teen drivers to gradually gain driving experience by using a graduated drivers licensing (GDL) program.

Graduated licensing allows teenagers to graduate through a series of less restrictive types of licenses as they complete certain requirements. License restrictions include limited driving hours and passenger restrictions. At the age of 18, assuming successful compliance with the graduated license requirements, teens are able to drive without restriction.

Giving teens a gradual exposure to more and more challenging driving tasks can help new drivers better react to stressful and unexpected situations. Banning cell phone use in the car is also significant, as distracted driving becomes an ever increasing problem for all drivers, and even more so for teens. Seat belts and sobriety are also crucial; parents should take an aggressive and hands-on approach to helping their kids understand the risks and hazards of driving a car.

Article provided by The Breslo Law Firm
Scottsdale Personal Injury Attorneys
Visit us at http://www.justaccidentlaw.com