Because car crashes are the number one cause of death and injury for teens, and one in five teen drivers will be in a crash during their first year of driving, the Automobile Club of Southern California and the Palm Desert Community Center are offering a free educational workshop in Palm Desert on Saturday, March 19 to help parents and teens prepare for the most dangerous years on the road.
Each year, thousands of teens, ages 16-19, are killed or injured in vehicle crashes. Teens have the highest crash rate of any group in the United States. In 2013, 2,163 teens in the United States ages 16-19 were killed and 243,243 were treated in hospital emergency departments for injuries suffered in motor 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 that parents and teens, ages 14 and 15, need to know before teens take the wheel. The interactive workshop includes hands-on activities using videos and learning activities, explains to parents and teens why teen drivers crash and how parents can help keep their young adults safe behind the wheel. It also provides tools and guidelines to help parents and teens go through the challenging learn-to-drive licensing process. Participants will receive take-home materials to help prepare them for driving.
The workshop is from 10 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. at the Palm Desert Community Center, 43-900 San Pablo Ave., Palm Desert 92260. Free parking is available. Space is limited, reservations are required by Thursday, March 17 and teens must attend with a parent or caregiver. To register, go to AAA.com/safety4teens. For more information, please call the Auto Club’s Community Programs and Traffic Safety office at (714) 885-2312.
“Teen drivers are inexperienced and often engage in risky behaviors behind the wheel due to a lack of reasoning skills,” said Anita Lorz Villagrana, the Auto Club’s manager of community programs and traffic safety. “Dare to Prepare aims to jumpstart the dialogue between parents and teens about safe driving.”
The presentation also will review:
- Parents’ and teens roles and responsibilities, including insurance
- Understanding the California Graduated Driver Licensing law
- Auto Club parent-teen driving agreements
- Practical tips for teaching teens to drive