Safe Communities Wellington County is partnering with Parachute for National Teen Driver Safety Week (NTDSW), which takes place Oct. 15 to 21, to create positive behaviour changes to reduce injury rates among teens.
Drug-impaired driving among teens is a major concern, state officials. A 10-year trend shows one in four teens who died in a motor vehicle crash tested positive for cannabis.
Parachute National Teen Driver Safety Week is an annual public awareness campaign.
This year, drugged driving is the primary focus; and messaging to teens will also address distracted, impaired and aggressive driving, including speeding. Safe Communities Wellington County is calling on all teens to #GetHomeSafe.
Key facts include:
– some teens believe using cannabis would make them a better driver – this is false;
– speeding is a factor in one third of teen driver deaths;
– more than half of teen deaths from drunk driving occur on the weekends;
– distracted driving is a factor in 15 to 19 per cent of all fatal crashes involving teen drivers; and
– according to a recent survey, 96% of Canadian drivers would stop driving distracted if a passenger asked them.
“Young people make up just 12% of licensed drivers, but account for about 20% of all road-related injuries and deaths,” said OPP Staff Sgt. Krista Miller, co-chair Safe Communities Wellington County.
“Through NTDSW and community initiatives like our positive ticketing blitz’s across our four Wellington County high schools, we are encouraging young drivers to think about risks and responsibility – and why they should choose to make safety their number one priority.”
Steve Podborski, Parachute president and CEO, said, “Just one wrong choice can cause a devastating collision.
“Teen drivers have the power to make the right choices, prevent heartbreak and save lives.”
Safe Communities Wellington County and Parachute are encouraging teenagers to participate in NTDSW activities, programs and events across Canadian communities.
For more information about NTDSW resources, News and updates, visit parachutecanada.org/ntdsw.
