Safe Driving

Driving Facts


Teen driving facts:

  • Traffic crashes are the number one cause of death for Minnesota teens.
  • Wearing a seat belt reduces the risk of fatal injury to front seat passengers by 45% in a car and 60% in a light truck.
  • Most crashes with teens occur at intersections - pay attention.
  • Passengers strongly increase crash risk- the more passengers the greater the risk.

Don't be a statistic 
Get home safely - your parents are waiting for you!

The message is simple: Be a Smart Driver

  • always wear a seat belt-front and back seat
  • never drive impaired or tired
  • pay attention to your driving; limit your passengers
  • slow down

Minnesota Traffic Laws

  • Not wearing seat belt can result in a seat belt ticket and cost you between $70-$115
  •  Vanessa's Law - if you are unlicensed and get into a crash, you have to wait until you are 18 to get your license
  • Not a Drop - If you are under 21, and drink and drive, you can lose your license for up to 6 months.
  • It is illegal to text message while driving (plus it's stupid!)
  • It is illegal to use a cell phone while driving if you are under 18
                           

Distracted Driving

Distracted driving is any non-driving activity that had the potential to increase the risk of crashing.

There are three main types of distraction:

  • Visual- Taking your eyes off the road.
  • Manual- Taking your hands off the wheel.
  • Cognitive- taking your mind off what you're doing.

Any kind of distraction can endanger a drivers' safety. But, texting is the most dangerous becuase it involves all three of these different types of distractions.

Distracting activities can include:

  • Talking to passengers
  • Eating and drinking
  • Looking in your mirror
  • Changing the radio station, Mp3 player or CD
  • Reading, even a map!
  • GPS or navigation system

The age group with the greatest proportion of distracted drivers was the under 2- age group. 16 percent of all drivers younger than 20 involved in fatal crashes were reported to have been distracted while driving. (NHTSA)

You can wait to call or text your friends after you are done driving. It is so dangerous to text and drive. You are not paying attention to the road, and anything can happen when you look down for that second to text.

For More Information

Minnesota Department of Public Safety


Minnesota Seat Belt Coalition                     ;       


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