(Media release from AAA – The Auto Club Group):
According to Georgia’s Governor’s Office of Highway Safety (GOHS), In 2019, there were almost 74,000 young drivers (15-to-20 years) involved in crashes throughout Georgia.
October is Car Care Month, which makes it an ideal time to teach teens and parents about driver safety on Georgia roadways during National Teen Driver Safety Week (October 16-22, 2022).
“The single most crucial step a parent can take to protect the life of their teen is to be actively involved in the learning-to-drive experience,” said Montrae Waiters, spokeswoman, AAA–The Auto Club Group. “That’s why AAA Georgia will provide a teen driver safety event aimed at encouraging parents and young people to change their behaviors behind the wheel.”
WHAT:
JUST DRIVE– Georgia drivers aged 15-20, in 2020, had 206 fatalities compared to 169 in 2019. In partnership with the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety and community partners, this event will target teens ages 14-16 and their parents/guardians. The objective is to help both of these groups avoid crashes and fatalities on the roadway by learning how to drive more safely.
WHEN:
Saturday, October 15, 2022, from 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
WHERE:
Roswell-Alpharetta Public Safety Training Center
11565 Maxwell RD, Alpharetta, GA 30009
Highlights for Teens & Parents:
- Three Breakout Sessions throughout the day:
- Textless Live More
- Drug Recognition Expert
- Parent/Guardian Information
- Tabling Maze of Safety Experts
- Students and Parent/Guardians will travel the maze and receive safety information from each table. They will get a completion stamp and will be entered to win a prize after the completion of each table.
- AAA Car Care Basic Maintenance Demonstration
- Extraction Example from local PD/Firefighters
- Free Lunch is included
AAA offers Teen Driver Safety Tips:
- Always remain alert. Avoid distractions and focus on the task of driving.
- PUT IT DOWN – no text or call is worth a life.
- Wear your seat belt.
- Obey speed limits.
- Move Over For Me– Each year drivers are struck and killed while outside a disabled vehicle on the roadside. This does not include those that were critically injured or walked away from an incident. Law enforcement and EMS? We Move Over. A AAA Tow Provider? We Move Over. If you see a disabled vehicle? Move Over! The person on the roadside could be you, a friend, family member, coworker, or neighbor.
It is also important for parents to prepare their teens for a breakdown or other roadside emergency. Make sure the teen’s vehicle has a well-stocked roadside emergency kit with contents suitable for local weather conditions. A basic kit should include a flashlight with extra batteries, jumper cables, first-aid kit, bottled water, rags or paper towels, a tire pressure gauge, a blanket, granola or energy bars, and a selection of basic hand tools. In areas with winter ice and snow, add an ice scraper, snow brush and kitty litter or other material to increase traction if stuck in snow. AAA-What To Do When Your Vehicle Breaks Down
For added peace of mind, give them a teen membership in a motor club such as AAA that offers reliable roadside assistance through a large, dedicated network of service providers with a good coverage area. Remember, AAA’s many benefits are available to members no matter which vehicle they are in, so parents do not have to worry about their teen being stranded in a friend’s vehicle with no access to emergency road service.