The U.S. Department of Transportations National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is teaming up with the City of Mesa to support National Teen Driver Safety Week, Oct, 20-26. It is important to discuss safe driving habits with teens every day, but Teen Driver Safety Week serves as an opportunity to raise community awareness and bring resources for parents and guardians so they can educate teens on how to be safe while driving. Teen drivers need to know the Rules of the Road before parents hand over the keys. Ultimately, its parents who are in control.
"We believe that everyone has a role to play in creating a safety culture on our streets," said R.J. Zeder, Transportation Department Director. "Road safety education starts at home. Mesa is committed to supporting parents and working together so we can make Mesa's roadways safer for all."
35% of fatal and serious injury crashes in Mesa involved someone under the age of 25. Parents can help teen drivers by discussing risky driving behaviors. Self-reported surveys show that teens whose parents set firm rules for driving typically engaged in less risky driving behaviors and were involved in fewer crashes. NHTSA gives parents and guardians tips on how to talk about safer driving. These tips include discussions on how to influence positive behaviors and how to approach dangerous and deadly driving behaviors such as alcohol and other drug use, lack of seat belt use, distracted driving, speeding or driving with passengers.
Teen driver safety awareness programs help the City of Mesa achieve its commitment to reducing by 30% the number of fatalities and serious injuries caused by motor vehicle crashes by 2030. To achieve this goal, the City is creating a Road Safety Action Plan to advance its commitment to creating safer streets for everyone who lives, works, or plays in our vibrant community. The Action Plan will evaluate the most important contributing factors in fatal and serious crashes.
Earlier this year, the City asked the community to identify areas of concern in Mesa. The Phase 2 Survey asks the community to help prioritize potential strategies that could be implemented in the future. Input on these strategies will help refine the road safety focus and efforts. The fall survey is open until Nov. 15.
To take the Road Safety Action Plan survey and learn more, visit https://mesasaferstreets.com.
For more information about National Teen Driver Safety Week, visit www.nhtsa.gov/road-safety/teen-driving.