Grasshopper and Sensei turned 16 years old recently and had to be persuaded to learn to drive. She has no interest. Why would she? Her dad and I are her personal car service. She’s terrified being behind the wheel of a vehicle that can do serious damage. And she’s right.
A few weeks ago, a car crashed into the front of our neighborhood pizza place, killing two people and critically injuring five others. It wasn’t a teen driver, but did you know these stats:
- Car crashes are the #1 killer of teens
- Teens crash most often because they are inexperienced – not because they take more risks behind the wheel.
- Other teen passengers are one of the biggest distractions for teen drivers. Just one teen passenger raises a teen driver’s fatal crash risk 44 percent. Two passengers doubles fatal crash risk. Three or more quadruples crash risk.
- Most fatal nighttime crashes involving teen drivers happen between 9 p.m. and midnight
- More than half of teens killed in car crashes were not restrained by a seatbelt.
Teen Driving Safety
In Massachusetts, teen drivers have additional laws to keep them safe. They must be 16 years of age to apply for a State of Massachusetts learner’s permit. Also, teen drivers under the age of 18 with a learner permit are not allowed to drive between the hours of 12:00 AM and 5:00 AM unless they are accompanied by a licensed parent or guardian.
To get a driver’s license, teens must be a minimum of 16½ years of age and have held a learner’s permit for a minimum of 6 months to receive a Junior Operator License.
Once teens get their license, there are still limitations. Teen drivers under the age of 18 can only drive with immediate family members for the first six months that they have their Junior Operator License UNLESS they are accompanied by licensed driver that is a minimum of 21 years of age with a minimum of 1 year of driving experience. The adult license holder must occupy the front passenger seat next to the Junior Operator.
I’m glad that Massachusetts has tough rules for teen drivers. This means that parents play a bigger role for their young drivers and I think that helps keep teens safe.
Global Youth Safety Month
The National Safety Council for “Global Youth Safety Month” recommends that:
- Parents practice driving with their teen even AFTER they get their license
- Parents should drive how they want their teen to drive
- Parents should set rules in the home they don’t answer the phone while driving and you don’t expect their teen to answer the calls/texts while driving
My husband and I are going to spending time this summer helping our oldest with her driving skills. Will you join us to Steer Your Teen Down the Right Road with their peers? Thanks for helping keep teens safe!
This is a sponsored post from SheSavvy and The National Safety Council for “Global Youth Safety Month”. My opinions, as always, are my own.
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Great timing for your exceptional post! I was like your daughter, so I understand her reluctance. I took Driver’s Ed at school and got my license when I was over 17. Hooray for Massachusetts’ strict laws for teens. I wish we had them in my state.
Hi Patricia,
Our driving law is complicated but the teens seem to understand all the different restrictions. I think it’s helping with accidents which is wonderful!
Boston is a pretty intimidating place to learn how to drive! I’m a big fan of strict state safety rules for new drivers.
Hi MaryAnne,
Me too!! Our suburb isn’t as challenging to navigate as Boston but this is not a driver friendly state! I think we invented the left turn from the right hand turn lane move! I see that a lot in Boston. It’s a crazy and dangerous move!