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Sponsored by: DRIVE SMART COLORADO and The Colorado Department of Transportation . Rules of the Road. A Class for Parents of New Drivers. Rules of the Road. Topics to Discuss Risks associated with teen driving Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) Colorado’s Teen Driving Law
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Sponsored by: DRIVE SMART COLORADO and The Colorado Department of Transportation Rules of the Road A Class for Parents of New Drivers
Rules of the Road • Topics to Discuss • Risks associated with teen driving • Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) • Colorado’s Teen Driving Law • Resources for teaching your teen to drive • Setting realistic expectations for your teen driver • Questions/Concerns
Why We Are Here • Parents have asked for help! • This is all very confusing • To empower parents • Knowledge is comforting • Teen driving is risky
Teen Driving Risks • Inexperience • Failure to Wear a Seat Belt • Inattentiveness/Distractions • Excessive Speed • Fatigue • Driving at Night • Driving with Other Teens • Alcohol/Drug Use
Teen Driving Risks: What Parents Can Do • Seat Belt Use • Establish a policy, talk about the dangers • Night Time Driving • Visibility is reduced, difficult to judge the speed of oncoming traffic, PRACTICE driving at night!!! • Passengers • Can be a major distraction • Choosing a Car • Wait before buying your teen their own vehicle • Drowsy Driving • Limit Driving: Especially on the drive TO school
Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) • History of GDL • What is it? • What is the purpose? • How can parents help? • Is it enough? • Where do you go if you need more information?
Colorado Teen Motor Vehicle Fatalities 107 99 10% Increase 68% Decrease 73 65 46 40 36 GDL Strengthened Cell Phone Ban GDL Enacted
Learner’s Permit • Can obtain at: 15, 15 & 6 months, 16 years old • Must hold permit for one full year • 50 hours of driving with parent/guardian • 10 hours must be at night • Cannot drive with anyone other than a driving instructor, parent, or legal guardian • No Cell Phones • No talking or texting • Must wear seat belt
RuralTeen Permit Process • If you live more than 30 miles from a driver’s education school (nearest school’s physical address): • School must be in operation more than 20 hours a week • Can take Internet class at 14.5 (with caveats) • Exempt from the 6 hour behind the wheel training but must add 12 hours of log time with a parent
RestrictedLicense • During First Full Year After Obtaining License: • Nopassengers the 1st 6 months • 1 passenger only the 2nd 6 months • Must wear seat belt • Driver is responsible for everyone in the car and must make sure everyone is wearing a seat belt • No driving between midnight and 5 a.m. • Teens under 18 CANNOT talk on the cell phone while driving and they CANNOTtext.
Penalties for Seat Belt, Curfew and Passenger Restrictions • While Driving with a Restricted License: • 1st Violation: $65 minimum fine, 8 - 24 hours community service and 2 points against your license • 2nd Violation: $100 minimum fine, 16 - 40 hours community service and 2 points against your license • Subsequent Offense: $150 minimum fine, 16 - 40 hours community service and 2 points against your license
Full Privilege License • Must wear seat belt • No cell phone use if under 18 • Parents can still place restrictions and should continue to drive with their teen to assess/evaluate driving skills
Available Resources • Driver’s Education • Private Driving Schools • Alive at 25: 4-hour driver awareness program • CD ROM’s, Internet Resources • Education for Parents • Internet Resources: www.coteendriver.com www.teendriversource.com • Community Resources • Law Enforcement • DMV • Insurance Agencies
Tips for the Road • Be a good role model (your teen is watching) • Rules of the Road • Variety of Experience • Structure • Talking to your teen • Make sure you are familiar with current guidelines and laws…times have changed since you learned to drive
Setting Realistic Expectations • Parent/Teen Driving Agreement • How to design • Updating • When it works/When it doesn’t • Rewards/Consequences
Parent -Teen Driving Contract • Contract May Include: • Adherence to laws (speeding, aggressive driving, etc.) • Passenger restrictions • Seat belt use • Curfews • Methods for check-in • Substance use (alcohol, drugs, prescription drugs) • Distractions (cell phones, music, eating, etc.) • Driving while sleepy, etc.
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How to Contact Us DRIVE SMART COLORADO (719) 444-7534 Web-site: www.drivesmartcolorado.com “LIKE” Us On Facebook: Drive Smart Colorado Maile Gray, Executive Director grayma@ci.colospgs.co.us Barb Bailey, Program Coordinator baileyba@ci.colospgs.ci.us