"The majority of newly licensed teen drivers exit the learner’s permit period with significant skill deficits, leading to a much higher risk of crashing compared with more experienced drivers. The most common types of crashes involve left turns, rear-end events, and running off the road."
--The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Research Institute
We want to help!
Having a license does not make anyone an expert driver.
Just think about the people you see on the road each and everyday!
Just think about the people you see on the road each and everyday!
Facts:
- The risk of being involved in a motor vehicle crash is higher for teens aged 16 to 19 than it is for every other age group. According to a study done by GEICO, 1 in 5 16-year-old drivers are involved in a collision during their first year of driving.
- Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for teens in the United States. In 2017, 6 teens died each day from injury sustained when involved in a motor vehicle crash. Most of these crashes were a result of critical errors -- including lack of scanning (looking) and, as a result, inability to respond to hazards; speeding; and distractions both outside and inside the vehicle.
- Drivers under age 20 have the highest rates of distraction-related fatalities in the nation, especially those who text and use cellphones while driving. In 2015, the CDC’s Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS) found that 42% of high school students who had driven in the past 30 days admitted to sending a text or email while driving.
"The rational part of a teen’s brain isn’t fully developed and won’t be until age 25 or so."
--University of Rochester Medical Center
So...what should we do?
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Practice. Evaluate. Adjust. Practice. Evaluate. Adjust. The teen brain needs practice -- and the accompanying feedback and modeling -- to make stronger connections among risk, speed/distance/timing perception, and good decision making. Unfortunately, 50 hours with a parent/guardian/custodian and 8 hours with a licensed Driving Instructor just isn't enough to cement new habits.
The idea of a graduated driver licensing program supports this, which is why teens under the age of 18 still have restrictions on their licenses, even after completing driver education and passing the road test. Both families and teens are responsible for knowing and following these restrictions. And teens aren't only still in the early stages of learning once they get their licenses; physical and psychological development of the brain is still in the early stages. A well-developed pre-frontal cortex, where all of that executive functioning and good decision making happens, is still out of reach by about 9 years. Here are some things that families and teens can do to support continued development of skills and knowledge behind the wheel. |
1. Schedule a driving skills check up with Safe Pass. We recommend at least two of these -- one 3-6 months after licensure and one 12-15 months after licensure. We'll take our students to the places they drive most often, evaluate their skills (We know what they looked like at the end of driver ed, and we'll help them to get back to that level!), and make recommendations for further development. We'll also work on skills that families can sometimes be hesitant to develop further, like freeway and city driving.
2. Make a Parent-Teen Driving Agreement. Families -- your teen has taken a big step toward adulthood by attaining their licensed. Teens -- your families are going to expect a lot of you when you get behind the wheel, some of which may be completely new to you. Families and teens -- you can make coming to terms with this new responsibility easier by clearly spelling our expectations with a Parent-Teen Driving Agreement, like the one offered by AAA. Regardless of what template you use, setting clear, easy to understand expectations for all involved in supporting the continued development and responsibility of new teem drivers is crucial to safe vehicle operation.
3. Be prepared for worst case scenarios. Teens -- do you know what to do in the event of a collision? Do you know who to call if you get a flat tire? What benefits are included in your emergency roadside service package? Do you even have ERS? Families -- what if you're not able to get ahold of your teen because their phone died? Do you feel comfortable with your teen driving younger siblings or with a carload of friends? How will you respond to a call about a collision or injury? We encourage all families and teens to talk through these situations before they happen. Keeping an open dialogue will help to avoid surprises on top of already stressful situations.
2. Make a Parent-Teen Driving Agreement. Families -- your teen has taken a big step toward adulthood by attaining their licensed. Teens -- your families are going to expect a lot of you when you get behind the wheel, some of which may be completely new to you. Families and teens -- you can make coming to terms with this new responsibility easier by clearly spelling our expectations with a Parent-Teen Driving Agreement, like the one offered by AAA. Regardless of what template you use, setting clear, easy to understand expectations for all involved in supporting the continued development and responsibility of new teem drivers is crucial to safe vehicle operation.
3. Be prepared for worst case scenarios. Teens -- do you know what to do in the event of a collision? Do you know who to call if you get a flat tire? What benefits are included in your emergency roadside service package? Do you even have ERS? Families -- what if you're not able to get ahold of your teen because their phone died? Do you feel comfortable with your teen driving younger siblings or with a carload of friends? How will you respond to a call about a collision or injury? We encourage all families and teens to talk through these situations before they happen. Keeping an open dialogue will help to avoid surprises on top of already stressful situations.
And remember...the Safe Pass staff is here to answer any questions you have and to support the success of our new drivers in any way we can. Ask us your questions, and get some answers!
Additional Resources
Safe Pass
5035 Mayfield Road – Suite 107
Lyndhurst, OH 44124
(Located in The Hilltop Building - Park in the rear of the building, and look for the green curtains!)
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Proudly serving the communities of the Greater Cleveland area and beyond!
🏳️⚧️🏳️🌈🇺🇸 And we take special PRIDE in serving our BIPOC, Trans, Queer, Jewish, and Neurodiverse students and their families as well as those who have proudly served in the U.S. Armed Forces! 🏳️⚧️🏳️🌈🇺🇸 Many thanks to The Buckeye Flame for helping us to reach our students in most need of a safe and affirming space to learn and to realize their driving dreams! |
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Safe Pass Mission Statement
To provide education in safe motor vehicle operation in a safe, affirming, and supportive environment; to promote confidence, independence, compassion, and empathy in our students; to fundamentally change the way that drivers in the greater Cleveland area think about and use turn signals; to build lasting relationships with students, their families, and the communities we serve. |
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Safe Pass is a proud supporter of Viva Los Gatos Cat Rescue!
Safe Pass Driving School is insured and bonded according to the State of Ohio Revised Code.
Driver training schools are licensed by the Department of Public Safety through the Ohio Driver Training Program Office located at:
1970 West Broad Street, Columbus, Ohio 43223.
1970 West Broad Street, Columbus, Ohio 43223.
Changing lives...one lesson at a time.