TeenDriving.AAA.Com offers state-specific information for parents and teenagers
Portland, ORE. – “Mom, Dad, can I have the keys?” This can be one of the scariest phrases to parents of a teenage driver. Thoughts of your teenager behind the wheel can make you feel worried, excited and anxious. AAA empowers parents to get involved with their teens′ learning-to-drive process with the launch of its new teen driving safety website, TeenDriving.AAA.com. The website is being launched to coincide with National Teen Driver Safety Week, which runs Oct. 17 through 23.
There′s so much information about teen driving that it can be difficult to find clear answers to your questions and concerns. At TeenDriving.AAA.com, you′ll find useful information and recommendations for every step of the way. We′ll help you understand the facts and risks related to your teen getting behind the wheel. The interactive site provides users with specific information based on where they live and where they are in the learning process. This includes information from preparing to drive (pre-permit) through the learner′s permit and solo driving.
“Having parents involved is critical in developing safe and prepared teen drivers,” says AAA Oregon/Idaho Public Affairs Director Marie Dodds. “As a parent of a teen driver, you can make a huge difference in keeping your teen driver safe. Research shows that teens value the opinions of their parents, even if it doesn′t always seem like it! That′s why understanding the facts and risks associated with teen driving, and sharing your knowledge with your teen are so important as your teen starts to drive.”
TeenDriving.AAA.com is a unique and comprehensive teen driver safety website that simplifies the process by offering parents the tools and resources they need as they progress through each stage of the process. This makes what can be a daunting task for parents and teens much easier to manage.
Top Questions
What is Oregon′s licensing process for new drivers? What is a provisional license? When do I need to add my teen to my car insurance? Should I enroll my teen in driver education, and how do I select a quality program? How can I help my teen develop safe driving habits? What are my teen′s roles and responsibilities in the process of learning to drive? Should teenagers have their own car, and if so, how do I shop for the right vehicle? These are just a few of the many questions you can find answers to at TeenDriving.AAA.com.
Information on the website is state-specific. Parents will find information about their state graduated driver licensing (GDL) systems, selecting a driving school and choosing the right vehicle for their teens. Parents will also learn more about some of the common risks associated with teen drivers.
AAA SmartStart
The site also features AAA StartSmart, a series of online newsletters and webisodes based on the National Institutes of Health′s Checkpoints program, which has been scientifically shown to help parents improve teen driver safety and is being offered nationally for the first time. Some of the topics covered in AAA StartSmart′s 18 newsletters and webisodes include nighttime driving, distracted driving, alcohol and other drugs, and parent-teen driving agreements.
The site also offers an online version of AAA′s Dare to Prepare workshop and lessons from AAA′s Teaching Your Teens to Drive coaching program. Both of these programs assist families that are or soon will be learning to drive.
Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for teens, killing nearly 6,000 teens annually, and the risk of motor vehicle crashes is higher for 16 to 19 year olds than for any other age group. Through safety programs, driver training and legislative efforts, AAA has long been a leader in working to help reduce the number of teens injured and killed in vehicle crashes.
“Now is the time to begin a potentially life-saving conversation with your teen,” Dodds adds. “Understanding the risks and knowing the facts will help you to establish rules, consistently enforce those rules, and model safe and responsible driving. Don′t let the opportunity pass you and your teen by. Visit Teendriving.AAA.com today, and let other parents and teens know about the site.”
For more information, go to www.AAA.com.