Car crashes are the number one cause of death for teens nationwide, and California is no exception. In fact, there are 15,000 teens, ages 16-19, killed or injured in vehicle crashes annually. After successfully spearheading legislation to place additional life-saving restrictions on California’s novice drivers, the Automobile Club of Southern California is now launching Dare to Prepare, a free workshop designed to help parents and teens prepare for their most dangerous years on the road.
Dare to Prepare provides critical information parents and teens, ages 14 and 15, need to know before teens take the wheel. The interactive workshop explains to parents and teens reasons why teens crash and provides tools and guidelines to help parents and teens go through the challenging learning-to-drive process. Participants will receive educational tools and resources to take home to help prepare them for driving.
“Teen drivers are inexperienced and often engage in risky behaviors behind the wheel due to a lack of reasoning skills,” said Anita Lorz, the Auto Club’s team lead for traffic safety. “Dare to Prepare aims to jump-start the dialogue about safe driving between parents and teens,” said Lorz.
The Dare to Prepare workshop will take place from 10 a.m. to noon and again from 1-3 p.m.. on Saturday, May 15, at the Auto Club’s Riverside branch, 3700 Central Ave. The workshop is free. Space is limited. Participants must register in advance and teens must attend with a parent or caregiver. To register, please call the Auto Club’s Community Relations & Traffic Safety Dept. at 714-885-2300.
The two-hour presentations also will discuss:
- Parents’ and teens roles and responsibilities, including insurance
- Understanding California Graduated Driver Licensing components
- New Auto Club parent-teen driving agreements
- Practical tips on teaching teens to drive
- Additional resources and educational tools that can help