BOSTON — As the school year ends, the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) and AAA Northeast stress the importance of preparing and educating inexperienced teen drivers for some of the most dangerous driving days of the year. Each year, between Memorial Day and Labor Day weekend, there is an increase in the number of fatal crashes involving teen drivers. According to NHTSA, nearly half of teen driver-related deaths occur during this period.
“Our roads get busier and busier at this time of year, and while the warmer weather and the end of the school year can give us plenty of reason to celebrate, it’s especially important to remember that road safety is a shared responsibility” said Registrar of Motor Vehicles Colleen Ogilvie. “No one wants to see a festive occasion turn into a tragedy. In addition to being properly prepared and educated as drivers, we urge parents, young drivers, and all motorists to exercise caution and good judgement when driving. This includes eliminating any and all distractions behind the wheel, and driving sober, so we can all get to our destinations safely.”
“Summertime for new teen drivers can be an exhilarating opportunity to create lifelong memories, but it’s also when extra vigilance is required on our roadways,” said Mark Schieldrop, senior spokesperson for AAA Northeast. “It’s important for parents to set clear expectations for their teens when it comes to their behavior behind the wheel, but it’s just as important for adults to model safe driving behaviors themselves. We urge teens and parents to have a frank conversation about roadway safety and hold each other accountable this summer to ensure every driver in the household is on the same page.”
For prom and graduation season, parents and students should take safety precautions, to ensure safe travel to and from special events. If hiring a limousine or bus from a Massachusetts company, it is important to verify that the company has a certificate from the Department of Public Utilities, by checking on the DPU website. Parents should also ask what the company’s alcohol policy is and what they will do if they suspect underage drinking in their vehicle.
Parents and students also need to exercise safety when driving to and when returning from events. This includes making sure that the person driving a vehicle is sober, eliminates any distractions, pays attention to the road, follows the speed limit, and drives hands-free of devices as required by the Massachusetts Hands-Free Law.
“If you feel different, you drive different”
Massachusetts law prohibits driving while under influence of alcohol, drugs or medications that affect driving ability. When operating a motor vehicle, drivers have a responsibility to drive safely, to protect themselves, passengers, other motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians. No one should be driving if they have been drinking alcohol or using drugs or medications that affect their ability to stay alert, think clearly and calmly, and react quickly.
While Massachusetts is a recreational-use cannabis state, it is important to know the risks of cannabis-impaired driving. As of 2023, Massachusetts was the first recreational-use cannabis state in the nation to adopt, “Shifting Gears: the Blunt Truth about Marijuana and Driving,” a AAA Northeast curriculum that educates teens on the risks of cannabis-impaired driving. The curriculum is taught through a 25-minute informative and easy to follow educational video that can be found at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XhQc8awkW8A.
Common Risk Factors for Teen Drivers
Traffic crashes are the leading cause of death for teens ages 16-19. For every mile driven, new teen drivers (ages 16-17) are three times more likely to be involved in a deadly crash compared to adults.
- Distracted driving. Distraction plays a role in nearly six out of ten teen crashes. Electronics like cell phones and in-vehicle infotainment systems are considered the second-biggest distraction to teen drivers. The biggest distractions are teen passengers.
- Driving with teen passengers. Research shows that the risk of a fatal crash increases in direct relation to the number of teenagers in a car (NHTSA). Having other passengers in the car can contribute to peer pressure and the impulse to engage in dangerous habits like speeding and aggressive driving.
- Speeding. Speeding is a factor in nearly 30 percent of fatal crashes involving teen drivers.
- Not wearing a safety belt. Teens who buckle up significantly reduce their risk of dying or being seriously injured in a crash.
Advice for Parents
- Lead by example. Minimize risky behavior when driving. Don’t drive aggressively, avoid distractions, and always wear a seatbelt. A parent’s driving skills and judgment behind the wheel shape a child’s view of safe driving habits, even before they’re old enough to drive. Make safe driving a priority.
- Conduct at least 50 hours of supervised practice driving. Let a teen drive in a variety of conditions including inclement weather, busy interstates, and at night. This will help them become a more confident driver in imperfect situations.
- Teach defensive driving skills. Help a teen anticipate potential risks by constantly scanning the road for hazards. Then share advice on how to safely avoid them.
- Establish a parent-teen driving agreement that sets family rules like when the teen can drive, where they can go, and with whom. Then clearly outline the consequences for breaking the rules and rewards for driving safely.
