This is Teen Safety Week. It’s a program that supports teens by bringing awareness to the social challenges they face, and then connecting them and their parents with tools and resources that are available in the community. The Steamboat Springs Police Department is partnering with local agencies and non-profits during Teen Safety Week.
Then on Thursday, May 11, everyone is invited to the Teen Safety Fair. It’s from 4-6 p.m. at the Steamboat Springs Community Center. Program partners, local agencies, and non-profit organizations will host tables and be on hand to share valuable information and resources in a casual meet-and-greet atmosphere. Members from Steamboat Springs Fire Rescue will also be on hand to demonstrate life-like scenarios of extraction on a mock car crash.
For information or to get involved, visit www.steamboatsprings.net/teensafety, or contact:
Patty Oakland with Steamboat Springs Police Department
Email Patty Oakland | 970.457.7414
Teen Safety Week — Driving Distracted
We know how easy it is to get distracted while driving, but teens are more likely than other drivers to be involved in a motor vehicle accident due to distracted driving. Factors including inexperience, technology, and speeding all put teens at risk behind the wheel. Peer passengers, talking or texting on a cell phone, changing the music, eating, or applying makeup are all dangerous distractions.
There are three main types of distraction:
- Visual – taking your eyes off the road
- Manual – taking your hands off the wheel
- Cognitive – taking your mind off what you’re doing
Distracted driving is preventable, and proven strategies can improve the safety of young drivers.
Tips
- For Teen Drivers
- Focus on the road. Driving is not the time to multitask.
- Keep distractions out of the car. Put phones and other devices in the back where you won’t be tempted to use them.
- Ask passengers to obey your rules while in the car, meaning buckle up and don’t distract you.
- Designate a texter. If you have a passenger, hand over your phone so they can do the texting or talking for you.
- Set your music/radio before you start driving.
- Limit the number of passengers and every passenger needs to have a seatbelt.
- For Parents/Guardians
- Model safe driving behavior. Remember that your teen looks to you as a driver, so practice safe driving yourself. Your teen’s learning starts at home.
- Set aside time to take your teen on practice driving sessions.
- Talk to your teen about the rules and responsibilities involved with driving.
- Limit the number of passengers allowed when your teen is driving.
- Set consequences for distracted driving.
- Create a driving agreement with your teen.
- Colorado Teen Driving Restrictions
- Passenger restrictions for teens with a license:
- For the first six months: no passengers under the age of 21, unless a parent or other licensed adult over 21 is in the vehicle.
- For the next six months: one passenger under the age of 21.
- Medical emergencies are exceptions.
- At any time, no more than one passenger is allowed in the front seat.
- Mandatory seatbelts for all teen drivers and passengers, no sharing!
- Teens under the age of 18 are prohibited from using a cell phone while driving and can be fined or may lose their license (exceptions include emergency calls to the police or fire department).
- Curfew
- For the first year as a licensed driver, there is no driving between midnight and 5 A.M. (unless accompanied by an instructor, parent, or legal guardian).
- Exceptions include:
- Driving to/from school/work (a signed statement from school/work is required),
- Medical emergencies,
- And emancipated minors.
- Zero tolerance for drunk driving.
- Eight young people die every day in the U.S. in alcohol-related crashes. Talk with your teen about the dangers of driving drunk or riding with someone who has used alcohol or drugs. Driving under the influence of alcohol – even a trace of alcohol on minor drivers – is punishable by law.
- Passenger restrictions for teens with a license:
Resources
- CDC – Teen Driver and Passenger Safety
- CDC – Parent-Teen Driving Agreement
- Teens In the Driver Seat®
- Steamboat Driving School