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Safe Teen Driving
Driving is especially dangerous for teens because the human brain does not fully develop its ability to assess risk or control impulse until the mid-twenties.
Talk to your teen about safe driving habits and set rules and expectations from the start.
Facts
Car crashes are the #1 cause of death for teens.
Every day in the United States, 6 teens are killed in a motor vehicle crash.
Safety Tips
It’s never too late to be a good role model!
Your teens have been watching your behaviors since they were small, and will model their good and bad behavior after what they see you do. Even if you’ve made mistakes, start doing the right thing today.
Make buckling up a habit starting when kids are young.
Buckle up on every ride, every time, when you are in the front seat and in the back seat.
Make a formal agreement with your teen driver, setting clear expectations about your family rules.
Discuss scenarios your new driver may encounter and what scares you about these situations. Define your zero-tolerance rules for driving, addressing speeding, alcohol and texting.
Make sure your teen gets at least 50 hours of practice with an experienced driver in a variety of road conditions.
Check your state law to find out what’s required. Don’t stop at 50 hours if your child needs more time practicing.
Limit the number of passengers that are allowed in the car with your teen.
The risk for a fatal crash increases as the number of passengers increases. Every child is different so set your rules based on your own assessment of your child.
Encourage your child to speak up if a driver of any age isn’t driving safely and makes them feel scared.
Provide them with alternative plans to get home, just in case.
Connecticut’s Graduated Drivers Licensing Law Has Saved Lives.
Comparing statistics when Connecticut did not have any special laws for teen driving shows dramatic changes since restrictions were imposed. There has been a 64% drop in 16 and 17 year old driver deaths when comparing 4 year totals in Connecticut before it imposed restrictions and after (1999-2003 and 2008-2012).
Laws for Learner’s Permit Holders
Learner's permit holders can only drive when supervised.
No passengers are allowed in the car
except for a licensed driving instructor or a licensed parent. In addition, a licensed driver who is at least 20 years old and has obtained and maintained a license for 4 years without any suspension is allowed to be in the car and instruct a permit holder.
Laws for 16-17-year-old Drivers
Driving is not permitted from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m.
Exceptions to this curfew include school, job, religious reasons, a medical necessity or the driver is part of the Safe Ride Program.
No cell phone use is allowed.
This includes texting, hands-free cell phone use and any mobile electronic device.
No passengers are allowed in the first 6 months of licensure.
Exceptions are the same as for the learner’s permit period.
No passengers are allowed in the second 6 months of licensure
except for members of the driver’s immediate family.
A 48 hour suspension will be issued for violations in passenger guidelines, breaking curfew, receiving a DUI, speeding over 20 mph, car racing or reckless driving.
In these instances, the drivers’ license will be seized on the spot by police and the car will be towed.
