(SAN DIEGO, Aug. 18, 2010) – Because car crashes are the number one cause of death for teens, the Automobile Club of Southern California is offering free educational workshops in Mission Valley on Saturday, Sept. 18, designed to help parents and teens prepare for their most dangerous years on the road.
Each year, 15,000 teens, ages 16-19, are killed or injured in vehicle crashes. The Auto Club has successfully spearheaded several laws to place additional life-saving restrictions on California’s novice drivers, but many parents and teens may be unfamiliar with the requirements.
“Dare to Prepare” provides critical information parents and teens, ages 14 and 15 years old, 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.
The workshops will take place from 10 a.m. to noon and from 1-3 p.m. at the Auto Club San Diego branch, 2440 Hotel Circle North, 92108. Space is limited. Participants must register in advance and teens must attend with a parent or caregiver. Free parking is available. To register, please call the Auto Club’s Community Relations & Traffic Safety Dept. at (714) 885-2300.
“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.”
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