Procrastination can lead to irreversible consequences. It’s crucial not to delay conversations about driving safety with your teen, especially considering the alarming statistics that highlight vehicle crashes as the foremost cause of death among teens in the U.S.

In 2015 alone, nearly 2,000 teen drivers aged 15 to 18 were involved in fatal traffic incidents, with an additional 99,000 injured. While teens may receive some initial guidance on safe driving through school or driver’s education programs, the influence of family discussions about safe driving practices is invaluable and potentially life-saving.

Research underscores the benefits of firm parental guidelines for driving: teens with clearly set driving rules engage in fewer risky behaviors and are involved in fewer accidents compared to their peers with less guidance.

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration invites parents to engage during National Teen Driver Safety Week, October 15-21. This period is an excellent opportunity to initiate crucial conversations with your teen about essential driving practices:

Zero Tolerance for Drinking and Driving Teens, by law, cannot legally purchase or consume alcohol. Nonetheless, nearly one in five teen drivers involved in fatal crashes had consumed alcohol. Discuss the severe repercussions and legal consequences of impaired driving, emphasizing that this law is strictly enforced.

Mandatory Seatbelt Use – Always Despite seatbelt laws in all 50 states, many teens—and their passengers—fail to buckle up. In 2015, over half of the passengers who died in vehicles driven by teens were not wearing seatbelts. Stress the importance of wearing seatbelts on every journey, no matter the distance or the seat.

Avoid Distractions Distractions are exceedingly dangerous for drivers, particularly teens. In 2015, 10% of teen drivers involved in fatal accidents were distracted. Highlight the dangers of texting, calling, or any other activity that takes their attention away from driving. Discuss how distractions extend beyond phones to include adjusting controls in the car, eating, or even interacting with passengers.

Adhere to Speed Limits Speeding remains a critical risk factor, notably for teen drivers—nearly a third of them in fatal accidents in 2015 were speeding. Encourage your teen to always respect speed limits and understand the dangers of speeding.

Limit Passengers Data from NHTSA shows that a teen driver’s likelihood of engaging in risky behaviors increases significantly with more teen passengers. Discuss setting passenger limits to reduce this risk.

Parents are pivotal in influencing teen driving behaviors. Now is the time to have these life-saving discussions to minimize road risks among young drivers.

For detailed resources and safety tips during National Teen Driver Safety Week, visit NHTSA’s teen driving page.