The ‘5 to Drive’ Campaign Helps Parents Protect Teen Drivers

For immediate release:

Teen Driver Safety Week Is October 18-24, 2015

DOVER, MA – The Dover Police are joining with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to promote the “5 to Drive” campaign during National Teen Driver Safety Week. The campaign aims to help parents talk to their teen drivers about the rules of the road.

“While a license means your teens are gaining independence and getting older, it also means they need you more than ever,” said Chief Peter A. McGowan. “The ‘5 to Drive’ campaign gives parents the tools they need to keep their teen drivers safe.”

Motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of death for U.S. teens 15 to 19 years old. In 2013, 2,614 teen (15-19 year old) passenger vehicle drivers were involved in fatal crashes.

The “5 to Drive” campaign addresses the five most dangerous and deadly behaviors for teen drivers. The idea behind the campaign is to give parents the words to use when they talk with their teens about the rules of the road. NHTSA’s website, www.safercar.gov/parents, has detailed information and statistics about the five rules designed to help save the lives of teen drivers.

The “5 to Drive” rules for parents to share with their teens are:

• No Drinking and Driving – almost one out of five (19 percent) of the young drivers (15 to 19 years old) involved in fatal crashes had been drinking, even though they were too young to legally buy or possess alcohol.
• Buckle Up. Every Trip. Every Time. Front Seat and Back. – 64 percent of all the young (13- to 19-year-old) passengers of teen (15- to 19-year-old) drivers who died in motor vehicle crashes in 2013 weren’t restrained.
• Put It Down. One Text or Call Could Wreck It All. – The age group of 15 to 19 years old has the highest percentage of drivers who were distracted by cell phone use and involved in a fatal crash. In 2013, 318 people were killed in crashes that involved a distracted teen driver.
• Stop Speeding Before It Stops You – In 2013, almost one-third (29 percent) of teen drivers involved in a fatal crash were speeding.
• No More Than One Passenger at a Time. – In MA, Junior Operators can not have passengers that are under 18 for the first six months of their license, except for siblings. After that, parents should set limits on passengers – the risk of a fatal crash goes up with each additional passenger.

Teen drivers need to follow these rules and any other restrictions outlined in MA’s Junior Operator law. The Mass RMV’s website, www.massrmv.com/rmv/jol, has information on MA law and penalties for Junior Operators. Parents need to outline rules and explain to their teens the deadly consequences of unsafe driving practices. The “5 to Drive” campaign can help parents start that conversation.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=KZuwtUTYkmE%3Frel%3D0%26showinfo%3D0%26autoplay%3D1

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Media inquiries may be directed to DPD Media Services. Please do not contact the Emergency Communications Center directly on this matter.