National Teen Driver Safety Week takes place from October 19 to 25. The week focuses on the role of parents and caregivers in teaching safe driving habits to teens. The Tracy Police Department urges families to talk about traffic rules and the risks of unsafe driving before teens start driving.
Car crashes are a leading cause of death for teenagers aged 15 to 18 in the United States. In 2023, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported 2,611 deaths in crashes involving teen drivers nationwide. In California, 465 people died in crashes involving drivers aged 20 or younger. This made up about 11.5% of all traffic deaths in the state that year.
The Tracy Police Department advises families to address issues like speeding, distracted driving, not wearing seat belts, and driving under the influence. Parents should set clear rules, show safe driving behavior, and consider using a parent-teen driving contract…