Loudoun Partners For Safe Teen Driving A COOPERATIVE

Loudoun Partners For Safe Teen Driving

A COOPERATIVE EFFORT BETWEEN Loudoun County Public Schools Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office Allstate Foundation

Dr. Edgar Hatrick Superintendent, Loudoun County Public Schools

Mark and Kay Dudenhefer Parents

Program Goals To raise awareness of: • The challenges of the teen driver • The role of the parent in helping teens to become responsible drivers • Elements of the Driver Education curriculum

Facts About Teen Crashes In 2005, teenagers accounted for 10 percent of the U. S. population and 12 percent of motor vehicle crash deaths -Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, Highway Loss Data Institute, “Fatality Facts 2005: Teenagers” In calendar year 2006, the top three teen driver actions that contributed to fatal crashes are: Speeding, Running Traffic Lights, and Failure to Yield -Virginia Crash Facts for 2006, www. dmvnow. com

Facts About Teen Crashes In Virginia: In calendar year 2006, there were 51 fatal crashes involving teen drivers ages 16 and 17. In those fatal crashes, 25 teen drivers, 25 passengers, and 2 pedestrians were killed. -Virginia Department of Education 9/2007

Facts About Teen Crashes Did you know? In Loudoun County: In 2006, there were 5, 718 crashes and 411 of these involved teens ages 15 -18. Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office 9/2007

LCPS First Year Crash Ratios

Facts About Teen Crashes The risk of motor vehicle crashes is higher among 16 to 19 -year-olds than among any other age group. In fact, per mile driven, teen drivers ages 16 to 19 are four times more likely than older drivers to crash (IIHS 2006). Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office 9/2007

Facts About Teen Crashes Between 2002 and 2005, young drivers were involved in eleven hundred fatal crashes during weekday periods, almost as many as weekends (a little more than 1200). This means that commuting home from school between 3 to 5 PM, may be just as harmful to your health as driving during high-risk weekend hours. AAA Foundation 2007

Virginia Department of Education Driver Education Curriculum

DOE Ten Modules of Classroom Instruction: Each student will receive classroom instruction through 10 th grade health in the following: Licensing Responsibilities Driver Preparation Low Risk Environment Basic Maneuvering Information Processing Personal Risk Factors Adverse Conditions Vehicle Functions Making Informed Choices

Restrictions • Students must hold a learner’s permit for at least 9 months, and be at least 16 years and 3 months of age for a provisional driver’s license • There must be a licensed driver over 21 seated next to the teen driver • During the first year of driving while under 18, the driver may carry only one passenger under 18 (non-family members) • After one year, or until age 18, there may be up to three passengers under 18

Classroom Driver Education Instruction Included in Health and Physical Education curriculum Required 36 hours of in-class instruction, which must include the following topics: • • • Organ donation Alcohol and drugs Motorcycle awareness Aggressive driving Distracted driving

Behind-the-Wheel Driver Education Instruction Tenth Grade at every high school • 7 hours driving • 7 hours observation • Taught before or after school • Cost $125 : enroll with the main office

40 -Hour Parent/Teen Driving Guide Parent or guardian must certify that their child has driven a motor vehicle for 40 hours, at least 10 of which were after sunset. (40 -hour Parent/Teen Driving Guide)

40 -Hour Parent/Teen Driving Guide A great resource provided by the DOE. Can be found at: http: //www. pen. k 12. va. us/VDOE/ Instruction/PE/40 hour. pdf

180 -day Provisional License (PDL-180) • Teen must be at least 16 years and 3 months old • Must hold learner’s permit for at least 9 months • Must complete state approved Driver Education Program • PDL-180 is awarded at the completion of the on-road test

180 -day Provisional License Students must have: • Completed 40 hour driving log • Green classroom completion form (DEC-1) • Completed parent permission form

Licensing Ceremony Hold permit at least 9 months Be at least 16 years, 3 months old Completed driver education Permanent license awarded in Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court or ceremony Family will receive notice of date to appear within the 180–day window Student and parent must bring permit and 180 day temporary license Judge presents permanent driver’s license to parents

John Burton Parent

Insuring the Teen Driver

Insuring the teen driver Why does Allstate Insurance Company care about the safe driving habits of your teen?

Insuring the teen driver How Are Insurance Rates Determined? • Age/years of driving experience • Gender • Driving record • Make, model, year of car, miles driven • Good grades • Prior insurance

What are the Requirements for Virginia Drivers Liability Coverage State minimum $25, 000 person $50, 000 per accident Property Damage Liability Coverage State minimum $20, 000

Insurance Terminology Liability - insurance that protects owners against any claims of negligence, personal injury or property damage. Collision Insurance Coverage - Insurance that pays to repair damage sustained in a collision with another vehicle or a fixed object caused by you or someone driving your vehicle. Are you underinsured? Comprehensive Insurance Coverage - Insurance that pays for damage sustained due to fire, hail, vandalism, theft, or collision with animals.

Insurance Terminology Deductible - The specified out-of-pocket amount that is deducted from a loss before your policy coverage begins. A higher deductible will help lower your premium. Uninsured Motorists Coverage - Covers damage or injury to you or a covered driver and your vehicle caused by an uninsured driver.

Occasional vs Principle Driver Occasional Driver: Fewer vehicles in household than drivers, teen driver is not considered a primary driver. Principle Driver: Household has number of cars equal to or greater than number of licensed drivers, results in higher insurance rates for teen.

Comparing Plans Parents should compare … - teen driver rates - insurance information and regulations - teen driver discounts: teen. SMART Discount Good Student Discount -Information may vary from company to company.

If your Teen Drives without Insurance - DMV will impose a $500 fine - SR 22 - Required proof of insurance coverage - Increased insurance costs - Lapses of coverage may result in higher premiums

Things to know The first years of licensed driving will be exciting for your teen, and possibly stressful for you.

Things to know Consider These: teen. SMART discount Good Student discount Airbags Anti-lock brakes Anti-theft devices

Coaching the Teen Driver

Dr. David S. Anderson Associate Professor, GMU Center of Advancement of Public Health

Facts Driving is far from a simple task Blind Spot Glare Elimination or contemporary mirror settings (BGE) – set mirrors 15 degrees out Hand Position: 8: 00 and 4: 00 (not 10: 00 and 2: 00) Steering Technique: Push, pull, glide (not hand-over-hand)

You Need A Plan

Answers Managing Your Own Stress While Coaching Your lesson plan for teaching your child to drive: Use the 40 -Hour Parent/Teen Driving log Start with familiar streets Vary driving times and situations Discuss becoming too confident while learning Spend time together. It’s a good thing!

Parent Coaching Tips Reduce risk to your teens by practicing: Lane Changing and merging - Check blind spots and signal Turning right on red - Check left and forward Parking - practice both forward and reverse Driving in reverse Reading multilane intersections - 4 way stops - Stop lights Lane positions

Things to know Parents: Set a good example! Parents and friends are the teen’s most powerful influence. Communication is the key. DRIVING IS A PRIVILEGE – NOT A RIGHT!!!

Be a Good Role Model Your Kids are Watching You! -Drive within the posted speed - Avoid distractions while driving - Do not use cell phone while driving (under 18 years prohibited) - Don’t eat or drink while driving

Be a Good Role Model Your Kids are Watching You! - Limit operation of the radio, CD player, or ipod -Make complete stops at intersections and stoplights -Never engage in aggressive driving behaviors -Always wear your seatbelt

Things you can do as a parent Create Driving Rules • Insist on use of safety belts • Set limits on the number of passengers • Establish and enforce a house curfew • Limit or supervise your teen’s driving on weekends • Set driving area limits Prohibit driving or riding with others under the influence of alcohol or drugs

Things you can do Complete the 40 hour driving log and have some quality time together!

Stephen O. Simpson Loudoun County Sheriff

Virginia Law And the Teen Driver

Facts Teen Drivers are the most at-risk of drivers in Loudoun County. Teen driver inexperience and poor judgment are often the cause of severe automobile crashes.

New Abusive Driver Fees Driving on a suspended or revoked license: $250 each year for three years Reckless or aggressive driving - $350 each year for three years Driving while intoxicated $750 each year for three years

New Abusive Driver Fees Other misdemeanor convictions for driving and/or motor vehiclerelated offense -$300 each year for 3 years Any felony conviction for driving or motor vehiclerelated offense - $1000 each year for three years

Cell Phone Law VA drivers younger than 18 years of age may not operate a motor vehicle while using a cellular telephone or other wireless communications device (also prohibits hands-free use of cell phones and text messaging while driving).

Seat Belt Use • All persons in front seats required to wear seat belts • All persons under 16 years of age must wear seat belt regardless of seating position

Frequent teen driver violations Aggressive Driving Consists of one or more certain traffic offenses that are a hazard to another person such as following too closely, improper passing, speeding, and stopping on the highway. Can also be traffic offenses that are committed to harass or intimidate another person.

Frequent teen driver violations • Aggressive driving • Failure to yield right-of-way • Speeding • Improper passing • Following too closely • Driver inattention - Cell phone use - Radio, CD player, etc. - Interaction with friends

Most frequent teen driver violations Drug and Alcohol Violations What does. 02 mean for teen drivers? DUID - Illegal drugs - Prescription medication - Over-the-counter medication

Teen Curfew Laws Curfews Virginia Curfew Law: Teen driver may not drive between midnight and 4 am.

Teen Curfew Laws Exceptions to the Curfews Emergencies Work or school-related events Accompanied by a parent Responding to an emergency Engaged in lawful employment

Parent responsibilities Parent’s Rights Restricting the use of the vehicle Using a parent / teen contract or agreement Insurance responsibilities Revocation of the license

Young Drivers: The High-Risk Years

Questions? Where to Go for Answers Your School Resource Officer Loudoun Co. Sheriff’s Office 703. 777. 0408 The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles www. Safe. Teen. Driving. org

Evaluations Q&A

Thanks! Thank you for attending our presentation. We encourage you to become an active Partner for Safe Teen Driving!

A COOPERATIVE EFFORT BETWEEN Loudoun County Public Schools Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office Allstate Foundation