National Teen Driver Safety Week highlights importance of safety for young drivers

DELMARVA – Motor vehicle crashes are the second leading cause of death for US teens, that’s according to the CDC.

To bring awareness to the importance of safety behind the wheel, it’s National Teen Driver Safety Week.

The goal is to get parents and guardians talking to teens about safety while driving.

We spoke with AAA Mid-Atlantic who has reminders for young drivers that include using your seatbelt, eliminating distractions while driving, and avoiding the use of drugs and alcohol when behind the wheel.

We’re told, having these conversations is crucial as it could mean the difference between life or death. “Giving extra space as they’re following the vehicle in front of them, not tailgating, slowing speeds down and not aggressively changing lanes. Being a good driver and using their blinkers,” AAA Mid-Atlantic’s Morgan Dean said.

“Even though they may feel invincible, they have an awful lot to learn on the roadway and it comes with time. The better, safe driver they are when they first start out the more experience they’ll gain and the better driver they will be down the road.”

AAA also has other helpful tips and resources that even include a Parent-Teen Driver Agreement.