Programs for Young Drivers
Young drivers are the most likely to be involved in crashes. Every year, drivers under the age of 25 are involved in six million crashes that result in 14,000 deaths. In fact, traffic crashes are the leading cause of death for people between the ages of 16 and 25. Several new and revised programs can help raise awareness and change behaviors in this high-risk group.
Teens Behind the Wheel
This Minnesota-specific program, designed for 15- to 17-year-olds, can be presented in one session.
The program includes a leader's guide with detailed lesson plan, a booklet for students and a video. The tone is irreverent and laced with humor. The purpose of Teens Behind the Wheel is to go beyond basic driver's education and provide additional safety messages. Specifically, it's designed to help teens:
- Recognize they are more likely than any other age group to be injured or killed in a car crash.
- Identify driver distractions and risk-taking.
- Understand the consequences of being involved in a crash.
- Develop techniques and strategies to help them be
safer drivers.
Teens Behind the Wheel
This Minnesota-specific program was produced by the Minnesota Wireless Foundation in association with AAA Minnesota/Iowa; the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, Office of Traffic Safety; and the Minnesota Safety Council.
For more information on the Teens Behind the Wheel program go to: https://dps.mn.gov/divisions/ots/educational-materials/Documents/Teens-Behind-the-Wheel-Brochure.pdf
Alive at 25 Defensive Driving Course
This National Safety Council program debuted in 1995, but has recently been revised. It's a highly interactive four-hour program that encourages young drivers ages 16-24 to take responsibility for their driving behavior. The goals of the program include teaching young adults that:
- As a driver or passenger, they can greatly reduce their risk by taking control.
- Committing to changing their driving behavior makes personal, legal and financial sense.
For more information about any of these programs, contact Lisa
Kons at 651.228.7330/651.228.7330; e-mail: [email protected].
NEW free publication for download! On the Move: Traffic Safety Tips for Teens
Drive it Home — Helping You Keep Your Teen Driver Safe
Research shows crashes, currently the leading cause of teen death in America, drop dramatically as the teen gains experience. Visually compelling, and easy to share, the heart of DriveitHOME™ is a website, www.DriveitHOME.org, which contains a library of resources illustrating the risks for new teen drivers in easy-to-understand text and videos. Also presented are a variety of effective tools to help parents build their teen's experience and confidence behind the wheel. Built for participation and sharing, we encourage parents of new teen drivers to visit www.DriveitHOME.org.