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 Arcadia Police Dept. are offering a free interactive workshop on Thursday, April 27 to help parents and teens prepare for the most dangerous years on the road.
Each year, thousands of teens from ages 16 through 19 are killed or injured in vehicle crashes. Teens have the highest crash rate of any group in the United States. In 2015, 1,886 young teen drivers and 614 passengers in the United States aged 15-20 were killed in motor vehicle crashes. Thousands of others were taken to hospital emergency rooms with injuries.
The Auto Club successfully spearheaded several laws to place 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 workshop includes hands-on activities using videos and learning activities, explains why teen drivers crash and how parents can help keep their young adults safe behind the wheel. It also provides tools 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 6-8:15 p.m. at the Arcadia Police Dept., 250 W. Huntington Drive 91066. Free parking is available. Space is limited, reservations are required by Thursday, April 20 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) 885-2300.
“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
- How to pick a safe vehicle