Prioritize teen driver safety this National Teen Driver Safety Week

The biggest threat to safety for teenagers is getting behind the wheel. Car crashes continue to be the number one cause of preventable deaths amongst teens in the U.S., with more than 2,700 losing their lives in 2021 (National Safety Council). The good news is – accidents are preventable. October 21-25 is National Teen Driver Safety Week, a chance for parents and organizations like the NDSC to raise awareness and prevent teen injuries and deaths on the road.

At NDSC, our daily mission is to prevent injuries and save lives. Our Alive at 25 class is an interactive driving course designed specifically for drivers under the age of 25. Alive at 25 is different than traditional driver’s ed because it focuses on behavior, judgment, decision making and consequences, and provides tools for making positive choices. Alive at 25 is offered throughout North Dakota as an in-person and distance learning class. See the full course schedule here. As a bonus, most insurance companies provide a discount on premiums to teens who take our Alive at 25 class.

“If you have a teen driver in your life, they need to take Alive at 25. I tell everyone I know that this course saves lives. There’s nothing more important than preparing your teen for the risks of the road.”

Parents play a huge role in keeping teens safe on the road. In addition to driver safety training the National Safety Council has introduced the DriveItHome app. This app provides resources to parents on teen driver safety issues and offers tips to help parents get involved. The DriveItHome app is free to download.

Vision Zero emphasizes the following critical reminders for parents and their teen drivers:

  • Always buckle up. Every seat. Every trip. Every time.
  • No distractions. Cell phone use is dangerous and illegal for teens.
  • Always follow the speed limit and drive for road conditions.
  • Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is illegal and life-threatening.
  • Limit passengers. The risk of crashes increases with more passengers in the vehicle.

We invite all parents, caregivers, driver education instructors and organizations across North Dakota to learn more about how they can help equip teen drivers with the skills and knowledge for remaining safe on our roadways.

For more driver safety education information contact Terry Weaver, Driver Safety Manager (701) 751-6106 or terryw@ndsc.org

Resources: National Safety Council. Vision Zero North Dakota