We speak with local traffic safety advocates about some new numbers involving teenaged driving deaths in Fla and how to keep them on the decline.
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Encouraging numbers came in this week from the Governors Highway Safety Association. While most of the nation saw increases in the amount of deaths among young drivers, Florida was one of only two states where there were substantial declines in those numbers.
There were 14 deaths involving drivers aged 16 to 17 on Florida's roadways during the first half of 2011, and that number went down to 5 during the first half of last year.
Parents of teenaged drivers in our area are hopeful that number continues to drop this year.
We spoke with Donna Bryan, spokesperson for the Safety Council of Palm Beach County, Inc. The non-profit offers driving lessons for students through the school district and home lessons.
Donna says parents should be restricting their young drivers while they are getting used to being behind the wheel. One idea: No friends allowed in the car with your teenaged driver during the first three months of driving with that new license.
She is a staunch opponent of texting while driving, despite the fact that there is no law against it in Florida. Donna says parents should set a good example for their kids by not engaging in the practice themselves.
There is already a state law on the books that restricts the time that licensed drivers under the age of 18 can be on the road, without another licensed driver, aged 21 or over, sitting in the front passenger seat:
- 16 years old - only drive between 6 a.m. and 11 p.m., unless accompanied by a licensed driver who is at least 21 years old and occupies the front passenger seat, or you are traveling to or from work.
- 17 years old - only drive between 5 a.m. and 1 a.m., unless accompanied by a licensed driver who is at least 21 years old and occupies the front passenger seat, or you are traveling to or from work.
Click Here to read more about that law.
Click Here to find out what the federal government recommends when it comes to distracted driving.
Click Here for more from the Safety Council of PBC, Inc.
