National Teen Driver Safety Week will take place from October 19 to 25, with the Riverside Sheriff’s Office urging parents and caregivers to engage teens in discussions about safe driving practices. The initiative comes as car crashes remain a leading cause of death among teens aged 15 to 18 in the United States.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 2,611 people died in crashes involving teen drivers in 2023. In California alone, crashes involving drivers aged 20 or younger resulted in 465 deaths last year, making up almost 11.5% of all traffic fatalities in the state.
The Riverside Sheriff’s Office emphasizes the importance of addressing risky behaviors, such as speeding, texting while driving, and failing to wear a seat belt. The agency also highlights the dangers of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
“Parents and caregivers play a critical role in teaching teens safe driving habits,” said Deputy Lopez of the Riverside Sheriff’s Office. “Having these meaningful conversations, setting rules, and being a role model for safe driving can help teens make better choices when they’re driving.”
The department provides guidance to parents and guardians on how to initiate conversations about road safety with their teenagers. For more information about careers with the Riverside Sheriff’s Office, interested individuals can visit joinrso.org or call 1-888-Join-RSD.
