Teen Driving
Your child's first year behind the wheel is critical. That's why Colorado - and other states across the country - has adopted new Graduated Drivers Licensing (GDL) laws for teen drivers. Colorado's laws are designed to help teens gradually - and safely - build their skills and experience behind the wheel. The parents' job is to know and enforce the laws. To find out more about Colorado's latest GDL laws and for more information about teen driving and how to help your teen become a better, safer driver, log on to www.coteendriver.com.
- Crashes are the leading cause of death for teens in Colorado and across the United States.
- Teens face the greatest risk of crashing during their first year of driving. One out of every five licensed 16-year-olds will be in a vehicle crash.
- Teens are less likely than adults to understand the risks of driving because they lack experience. Also, their brains are still developing well into their 20s, affecting their judgment while driving.
- Over 1,300 Colorado teens (ages 15-19) died in motor vehicle crashes between 1990 and 2005.
- Sixty-two 16-20-year olds died on Colorado roadways in 2006. Seventy-nine in 2005.
- In 2006, nearly 80 percent of teen passengers who died in car crashes in Colorado were riding with teen drivers.
If you have a teen driver in the family, remind them of the following:
Common Driving Distractions:
- Arguing with your friend
- Chugging that last gulp of water
- Eating while driving
- Fighting over the radio station
- Applying makeup
- Reading directions or a map
- Talking on a cell phone
- Trying to get the attention of the cute driver in the next car over
Driving Safety Tips:
- Buckle up.
- Adjust mirrors and seats before turning on the vehicle.
- Turn on your headlights, day and night, for safety.
- Stop completely at stop signs and red lights. Brake smoothly, and avoid slamming on the brakes. When stopping behind another car, stay at a distance from which you can see the tires of the vehicle in front of you.
- When proceeding from a stop: look left, right, straight ahead, then left again before moving.
- When backing up, do not rely on the rear view mirror. Always turn and look directly behind you. Check all directions to make sure the way is clear.
- Remain 15 feet away from trucks on all sides. If you can't see truck drivers in their mirrors, they can't see you either.
- Don't exceed the speed limit. The chance of death or serious injury doubles for every 10 miles per hour over 50 mph that a vehicle travels. At high speeds, errors such as turning too quickly or braking too sharply can result in an out-of-control vehicle. Speed increases braking distance: If you double your speed, quadruple your braking distance. At high speeds, the amount of time available to detect and react to unexpected events is shortened.
- Vehicle weight increases breaking distance: The greater the vehicle weight, the greater the braking distance.