(Photo Provided with Release Courtesy of AAA East Central)
Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News
(Pittsburgh, PA) National Teen Driver Safety Week runs through Saturday, October 25th, and AAA is recommending that parents talk to teens about driving safely. AAA East Central in Pittsburgh also gives a four-step approach called READ the Road to help new drivers increase their safety on the road. Drivers must have the RIGHT speed by following the speed limit and slowing down in weather conditions that are poor, and they must keep their EYES up on the road while avoiding distractions. Those on the road also must ANTICIPATE their next move by reacting to the moves of other drivers and provide a DONUT of space around their vehicle on all sides as a safe buffer. According to a recent release from AAA East Central, the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety Culture Index reveals that 72% of teen drivers aged 16–18 admitted to engaging in at least one risky behavior while driving and these include:
- Driving 10 mph over the limit on residential streets (47%)
- Speeding 15 mph over the limit on freeways (40%)
- Texting while driving (35%)
- Running red lights (32%)
- Aggressive driving (31%)
- Driving Drowsy (25%)
- Driving without a seatbelt (17%)
The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety has also confirmed that new teen drivers aged 16-17) are more likely than adults to be involved in a deadly crash by three times.
You can also find tips that AAA recommends to ensure teens are driving safely by visiting the link below: