Motor vehicle traffic crashes are the leading cause of death for teens nationwide. Utah teen drivers represent a small percent of all licensed drivers, but they cause more than three times as many crashes as the average driver.
To address this public safety concern, the Utah Department of Transportation, the Utah Department of Public Safety, the Utah Department of Health and other local organizations, partnered to create a program for teens called 'Don't Drive Stupid.' The program teaches teen drivers to take responsibility and educates about the top five behaviors killing people on Utah's roads:
- Driving drowsy
- Driving distracted
- Driving aggressive
- Driving impaired
- Not buckling up
Check out the 2013 Don't Drive Stupid Video and Calendar Contest winners!
2013 Video Contest Winners:
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2013 First Place - David S., Hillcrest High School |
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2013 Second Place – Tyler C., Fremont High School |
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2013 Third Place – Alec F., Maple Mountain High School |
2013 Poster Contest Winners:
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2013 Poster Contest Winners |
2012 Video Contest Winners:
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2012 First place - Kasper K., West High School |
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2012 Second place - Tanner S., Weber High School |
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2012 Third place - Kyle R., Riverton High School |
TEEN DRIVING SAFETY TIPS
Always Wear a Seat belt
Hitting the windshield with your face or being ejected out of a car hurts pretty bad. Your seat belt could prevent that so make sure you wear it properly, even if you're just going down the block to your friend's house. Half of all traffic-related fatalities wouldn't happen if people would just buckle up.
Make Your Passengers Wear Their Seat belt
You are the driver, so you have authority. Refuse to drive anywhere until ALL passengers are wearing seat belts. No exceptions, be FIRM.
Don't Use Your Cell Phone While Driving
Yes, this includes texting and talking on the phone. They're just a bad idea, because your concentration is divided between the road and your phone. If there's an emergency and you must text or talk, pull over or hand the phone to your passenger. Don't let that text or call be the last one you make.
Use the Three Second Rule When Driving Behind Cars
Cars sometimes stop suddenly. This will help prevent you from crashing into them and getting grounded from the car.
Schedule Your Time
Allow yourself enough time so that you're not in a rush and risk making hasty decisions like speeding or weaving in and out of traffic.
Never Drive Under the Influence
Drinking alcohol or doing drugs severly hampers your reaction time behind the wheel. You know it's not safe so just don't do it. Don't let anyone else drive under the influence, take their keys away. They'll thank you in the morning.
Be Familiar with Your Car
Know all the blind spots on your car by having someone slowly walk around the car as you watch in the mirrors.
A teen-driver crash occurs in Utah every 35 minutes. Don't be a statistic.