Hands Free Law Starts 7/1/08 in CA

Finally! About two years after it became a new law, driving and talking on the cell phone will be illegal in California for teens starting July 1, 2008 - without or without a hands free device. Teens may not talk on a cell phone and drive at the same time!

But parents, beware, the law applies to you, too. People over 18 can talk with a hands free device while driving, although never a good idea. If you are pulled over while driving and holding a cell phone at your ear, you will get a "DWT" or driving while talking citation, which will cost about $20 the first time, plus some fees - which could get you to $100 before you are through clearing it. Repeat offenders will be charged more each time they are cited.

It is hoped that this new legislation will help reduce the number of traffic deaths - which is about 4,000 a year in CA. The grace period ends July 1, 2008 and the CHP has said it will start issuing citations on the first day.

Photo credit: Mike "Dakinewavamon" Kline

Labels: Driving, Healthline, Teen Health

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Fewer Teens Driving at 16-Years-Old

Good news for parents worried about the accident statistics. According to the Federal Highway Administration, in 2006 only thirty percent of 16-year-olds held driver's licenses. Some of the reasons include tighter state laws about when teenagers can drive, the price of automobile insurance, and the shift from drivers education in school to private companies. in most states it is much easier to get a license after you are 18-years old.

There are fewer than 20% of high schools teaching drivers education now, with most families doing on-line or in class private lessons, as well as private behind-the-wheel lessons before the 50 hours of practice in the family car (in California). Once all the practice is done, the insurance rate is similar to the adult rate, in spite of the fewer hours driven by the teen. The highest rates are for teens who own their own car.

Many states have some form of graduated driving restrictions keeping youth practicing with parents longer, and from driving with other teens in the car, or during late night and early morning hours. In addition, many employers cannot hire teens to do any jobs that require driving.

Another related change is the extent to which parents stay involved with their teens activities and are willing to drive them to lessons, sports, and after school activities. Knowing where kids are and knowing they are not driving with other teens is a comfort to many parents, especially given the fact that car accidents account for one-third of the deaths of 16-to18-year olds.

Photo Credit: daveparker

Labels: Driving, Teen Development

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July 2008 Law Bans Teens From Using Cell Phones While Driving

As of July 1, 2008 teens cannot use cell phones or text message while driving in California. SB 33 prohibits drivers under age 18 from using electronic devices (e.g., cell phones, pagers, laptops) while driving. Currently California law SB1613 (which goes into effect on 7/1/08) will require all drivers using a cell phone to use a hands-free device, but SB 33 stops this from applying to teens under age 18. Emergency calls to 911 are exceptions for all drivers.

I can't say this new law is likely to make a difference however - the fine for both is $20 for the first offense and $50 for repeat offenders - which is hardly a deterrent. Massachusetts is currently considering the same type of legislation, but their proposed penalties are a one year suspension of the license or learner's permit and a $250 fine.

Research shows that drivers who are distracted are more likely to have accidents and teens are four times more likely to be distracted by cell phone use. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for U.S. teens. There are currently 17 states with laws prohibiting cell phone use for teenage drivers.

I still think parents need to make it the law - no cell phone while driving. The best thing we can do as parents is to model not using our phones while driving. The Governor of CA currently enforces this rule with his own teenage daughter - cars and phones do not mix!

Photo Credit: R@punseLL

Labels: Driving

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Preparing Parents for Teens to Drive

Just a reminder - if you have not completed the Teen Health 411 Anniversary Survey - there is still time - do it right now!

I was sure that my daughter starting to drive would keep me awake some nights, but we are both moving forward, toward the day she will be 15.5 years old and ready to learn how to drive. My assignment last week was to call my insurance company and ask when I needed to add her to my insurance. The good news was, not until she getsher license - while driving with her permit, my insurance already covers her! The bad news was, even being a female, with good grades, and getting a discount for completing a computer-based program called Teen Smart, it will cost about $900 a year to add her to my policy - even if she only drives my car 20% of the time.

Well, OK, that was a shock, and I just decided that am not in a hurry for this to happen, and hoped she forgot she wanted to learn how to drive RIGHT NOW! No such luck, she collected my homework and we were looking at purchasing "Teen Smart" from Adeptdriver.com, which did not happen because they do not have a web-based or Macintosh-compatible version, but I discovered the following page of statistics:

• Any year, 60% of 16-18 year-old drivers will be in a police-reported collision;
• Teens are 400% more likely to die in a car crash tan 25-34 year-old drivers;
• 16-18 year old annual crash rates were up 6% between 2000 and 2003; and
• The chance of one crash in the first three years of driving is 89.2%.

Now I am terrified - how can people let their kids drive? How to cope with the thought of her driving off by herself in under a year? Gracious - there must be some teen driver meditations out there and I intend to find them! For all of you parents who have watched your children drive off in a car - bless you! You are strong, and courageous!

Photo Credit: Jason & Alyssa

Labels: Driving

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Teens Admit Risky Driving Habits

Oh my goodness! As parents we may have assumed that our teenagers do not need to be told that they cannot talk on the cellphone, or text message while driving, but think again! In spite of the fact that parents know teens do not have the experience to do anything other than focus on driving, teens seem to believe they can do multiple things while driving!

A survey conducted by Seventeen magazine and the American Automobile Association with 1,000 teens in April suggests that not only do parents need to talk about risky driving behavior, there needs to be a contract and consequences if teens ignore safety precautions!

Results from the survey suggested that 61% of the teens admitted to risky driving habits including:

• Having friends in the car (58%);
• Talking on the cell phone (51%);
• Text messaging (50%);
• Speeding (40%); and
• Drinking or using drugs before driving (11%).

It is worth having a very detailed conversation with teens about the fact that they are inexperienced drivers and even things as basic as changing a radio station should be avoided for at least a year. It might also help to start being critical of their role models, us, and pointing out when we multitask it is not as dangerous as if they were to do it - given our 20+ years of driving experience.

Yet another call to consciousness! Talk to your teens, have rules, and enforce consequences - it may save their lives! You can see examples of driving contracts at the AAA site below.

Resources:
TeenDriving.com
TeenDrivingInfo.com
AAA Public Affairs Exchange

Photo credit: JessicaSarahS

Labels: Driving

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Teen Driving Risks, Guidance for Parents

We have every reason to worry about our teen drivers, but like most things, there are ways we can help protect them. Traffic crashes are the #1 killer of teenagers and 1 in 4 crash fatalities in the United States involves a 16- to 24- year old. The first six months after getting a license are the most dangerous time for any driver, and the risk stays high until the young driver becomes 25.

According to National Teen Driver Survey, of more than 5,600 high school students, representing the 10.6 million 9th, 10th, and 11th grade students in U.S. public high schools, high school students are driving under highly dangerous conditions on a routine basis. The survey results are available on a web site called "Keeping Young Drivers Safe." This Web site for parents and educators from the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia/State Farm alliance is packed with practical information on developing a plan that will enable new drivers to develop the skills and habits they need to stay safe. You'll find information on working with a new driver to set goals and rules; developing a timeline for parent-guided driving lessons; and developing a parent/teen driving agreement.

Here are a few highlights from the report:

• Teens say they routinely drive while fatigued;
• 48% report talking on cell phones while driving;
• 21% said they have driven without wearing seatbelts;
• 41% of the respondents reported having seen a peer driving under the influence;
• and 50% reported driving at least 10 miles over the speed limit at least sometimes.

Before you start teaching your teen how to drive, check this site out and talk about the dangers with your teens. Photo credit: cynroux

Labels: Driving

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Drivers Education and Teen Fatalities

More adolescents die in car crashes than from any other cause and drivers education has not changed much in 50 years according to the National Transportation Safety Board. Most states require driver education before teens can get a license but the standards for that education vary tremendously and may not include any practice time behind the wheel.

Meanwhile, there are about 6,000 teens killed in car crashes each year and although teen drivers make up only 6% of the licensed drivers in the United States, they are involved in 14% of the fatal crashes. What has changed is that all states now have some form of graduated driver’s licensing that limits nighttime driving and bans teen passengers until teens rack up some driving experience. These restrictions seem to be saving lives, but parents must help enforce them.

Resources
National Transportation Safety Board
Driving Skills for Life
We're Talking Teen Health



Photo credit: Mr. Wabu

Labels: Driving

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