Between Oct. 17-23, Washington State will celebrate National Teen Driver Safety Week, focusing not only on the laws governing new drivers in Washington but also on the impacts parents have on teens by setting limits and modeling responsible driving behavior. Research shows that parents are the single greatest influence on their teens’ driving.
For the second consecutive year, State Farm® provided a grant to the Washington Traffic Safety Commission to remind parents of teens about the resources available to assist them in teaching teens to drive safely.
Public service announcements emphasizing the importance of parent modeling will run on local broadcast networks throughout the week. The grant also funds a Web site specifically for Washington parents — a clearinghouse of useful information they can use as their teens begin the adventure of driving: www.washingtonteendriversafetyweek.com.
On Oct. 4, Gov. Chris Gregoire signed a Proclamation declaring Oct. 17 – 23 Teen Driver Safety Week in Washington State.
State Farm will kick-off the week by presenting Senator Tracey Eide with one of its Graduated Driver License Champions awards honoring lawmakers who make significant contributions to the strength of licensing systems for new drivers.
Senator Eide is being lauded by the insurer for efforts on SSB 6345, which prohibits drivers who hold either a learner’s permit or intermediate license from operating any electronic devices. She is one of only six lawmakers nationwide receiving the award.
“We believe the prohibition on wireless communication devices for novice drivers is an important component of a strong Graduated Driver Licensing system,” said State Farm vice president of operations John Bishop. “Making the law stronger and more enforceable will eventually help us give teens the strength to say ‘Not now, I’m driving.’”
Motor vehicle crashes is one of the leading causes of death among teens age 16-19 in Washington, already causing the deaths of 27 teens this year. A total of 84 teens died in 2008 and 2009 from traffic crashes. During 2009, 16-19 year-olds accounted for 4.2 percent of all licensed drivers, but 9.1 percent of all drivers in fatal crashes in Washington.
National Teen Driver Safety Week is observed the third week of October to bring attention to the number one killer of American teens: car crashes.
During this week parents, young drivers, lawmakers and educators are encouraged to focus on working together to change risky teen driving behaviors and to help save lives.
In order to reduce injuries and deaths from teen crashes across the country, State Farm and the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia teamed up in 2007 to support a Congressional resolution designating National Teen Driver Safety Week. Working together with many other safety organizations, State Farm continues to provide leadership and advocacy toward ending this national tragedy. For more information, go to www.statefarm.com/teendriving.
