Mr. Briggs and the Driver Education classes at Westfield Area High School would like to thank those that participated in National Teen Driver Safety Week the last week of October. This was a great time for parents and teens to renew the focus on the importance of safe driving. The conversations should start well before driving age, to help set up good driving habits for both your teen and you. Information regarding Wisconsin driving can be found at wisconsindot.gov.
Mr. Briggs did spot safety checks in the parking lot involving safety belts.. Thanks to a donation from Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin and Kwik Trip, small prizes were given away for signing pledges to not be a distracted driver. Over 100 students pledged to consciously commit to safe driving and not being distracted or driving recklessly. Can you make that same commitment?
Here are some great driving tips for you and your teen to discuss.
1. Engage in the driving process – As teens get closer to earning/acquiring their learner’s permit, parents should actively engage with them about driving. Talk about safe driving behaviors, practice with them, seek educational opportunities, and be clear that unsafe actions won’t be tolerated.
2. Buckle up – It’s the law. In a crash, a person not buckled up is much more likely to be injured or killed than someone wearing a safety belt. Always buckle up and require all passengers to buckle up for everyone’s safety.
3. Never speed – Research done for Ford Driving Skills for Life shows that if parents speed, their teens are more likely to do the same. Speed-related factors continue to be reported in about one-third of all traffic deaths nationally.
4. Don’t drive distracted – By setting a tough “no distractions” rule for teens, young drivers will keep their hands on the wheel and eyes on the road.
5. Don’t follow too closely – Keep the proper distance from the car in front of you. Remember that the faster you drive, the longer it takes to stop. Doubling vehicle speed can nearly quadruple the distance required to stop.
6. Limit the number of passengers – Wisconsin Graduated Driver License laws restrict the number of passengers for novice drivers to help reduce the potential for distraction and focus on the driving task. Remember the crash rates for teens in their first year of driving is nearly 60%!
7. Never drink and drive – Under-age use of alcohol and illicit drugs is illegal, and combining alcohol or drugs with driving can be deadly at any age.
If you have any questions, or would like to get information about our driving program at Westfield Area High School, please contact Mr. Briggs at 608.296.1031