Tools for Teen Driving

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Tools for Teen Driving

• Gordy Pehrson
• Minnesota Department of Public Safety
• Office of Traffic Safety

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Last year in the United States and every year
for the past decade.. __________________________
__________________________________________________
___________

• 5,000 to 6,000 teenagers died in vehicle
  crashes.
• An additional 300,000 were injured.

We all know we will die some day None of us
think it will be today.
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Leading Cause of DeathUnited States, Ages 16 - 20
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Source CDC, 2002
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As Community Members
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MN. Teens (15-19 years old) Less than 8 of
licensed drivers.Involved in 14 of crashes.
MN. Crash Facts 2005
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Teens are more likely to be killed in a crash
than any other age group(Minnesota Crash Facts
2005)
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2005 Traffic Deaths (559)

• 68 (12) 15 19 years old
• 44 (65) Male
• 24 (35) Female

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Victims role in teen driver fatal
crashesMinnesota 1995 - 2004
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WHY TEENS CRASH

• Lack of experience
• Immaturity
• Crashes
• Inattention / Distraction
• Illegal / Unsafe Speed
• Typically teens are not held responsible for
  driving-related costs.

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Alcohol/Impaired Driving
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WHEN TEENS CRASH

• 3 to 7 p.m.
• 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. (fatal)
• To / from school
• With Passengers

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WHY TEENS DIE

• Its very simple!
• 75 were not wearing seat belts.
• 70 Rural
• At least 50 would have survived
• had they been buckled up.

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Percent Belted by Age Group,MN CODES Linked Set
2002
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Percent Belted by Age 0-18, MN CODES Linked Set
2002
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Increased Risk of Driver Death by Number of
Passengers and Driver Age
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16 17 Year-old Driver Death Rate by Time and
Presence of Passengers
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Economic Impact

• Death 1,130,000
• Severe Injury 58,500
• Moderate Injury 18,900
• Minor Injury 10,700
• Property Damage 7,400

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These are our children!
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Current Efforts

• Driver Education (30/6)
• On-line Home-study programs
• Advanced, hands-on courses
• SADD Groups
• Toward Zero Deaths (TZD) Efforts (4-Es)
• Local resources to address traffic safety issues
• Safe Sober Law Enforcement Programs
• Safe Communities Coalitions
• Corporate Programs

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• AAA Minnesota/Iowa
• Minnesota Dept. of Public Safety
• Teen
• PSA Contests

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(No Transcript)
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Beyond Basic Driver Education
Minnesota Wireless Foundation Department of
Public Safety
For Health, Law, Life-Skills, Driver Education
Classes
www.dps.state.mn.us/ots/teens
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Practice, Practice, Practice!
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So, what about driving?
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• Isnt that what Drivers Ed is for?
• If they pass the driving test, theyre ready to
  go.
• Driving is a complex task that requires
• a lot of time and practice to learn.
• It takes years to master.

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Graduated Drivers Licensing (GDL) New 16
year-old drivers

• 1) Supervised learner phase (Instruction
  Permit)
• 2) Restricted intermediate phase until 18
• - Night-time passenger restrictions
• 3) Full unrestricted phase at age 18

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States with GOOD Intermediate Restrictions

• (GOOD Night and Passenger Restrictions)
• 44 with Night Restrictions
• 34 with Passenger restrictions
• WISCONSIN
• 9-month Intermediate Phase
• No unsupervised driving midnight to 5 a.m.
• No more than 1 non-family passenger

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WISCONSIN Sept. 2000 9-month Night Passenger
restrictions
- 14 Age 16 - 5.4 Age 17 - 3.1 Age 18
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Minnesotas Intermediate Restrictions

• Currently
• Seat belt use for all under age 18
• No cell-phone use while driving
• Zero-alcohol tolerance
• Needed
• Night restriction (9 or 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.)
• Passenger restriction (no more than one
  non-family member)

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Other States with Night Passenger Restrictions
Crashes involving 16 year-old drivers

• North Carolina -34, -47 late-night
• Texas -29 fatal crashes
• Oregon -20 injury crash rates
• Michigan -19
• Utah -15

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N. C. Parents Opinion of 9 p.m. Restriction
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N. C. Parents Overall Opinion of GDL
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N. C. Teen Opinions of 9 p.m. Restriction
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N. C. Teen Overall Opinions of GDL
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THE FUTURE?
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(No Transcript)
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Where do we go from here?

• Advocate for improved GDL restrictions.
• Establish your own restrictions consequences.
• Follow through with consequences.
• Talk with other parents.
• Reward safe driving behavior.
• Choose safe vehicles.
• Stay involved.
• SET A GOOD EXAMPLE!

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These are our
children!
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• I can think of no greater
• pain or inconvenience
• than to bury our children.