New AAA Web Site Offers Resources For Parents, Teen Drivers

AAA Michigan Tuesday launched a new Web site for teens' learn-to-drive process at www.TeenDriving.AAA.com.

The interactive site helps parents and teens manage the complex coming-of-age process by providing users with specific information based on where they live and where they are in the learning process – from preparing to drive (pre-permit) through the learner's permit and solo driving.

"Parental involvement is critical in developing safe and prepared teen drivers," said Jack Peet, AAA Michigan traffic safety manager. "AAA recognizes the learning-to-drive process can be intimidating, particularly for today's busy families. TeenDriving.AAA.com is a unique and comprehensive teen driver safety website that simplifies the process by offering parents the tools and resources they need as they progress through each stage of the process. This makes what can be a daunting task for parents and teens much easier to manage."

The site features AAA StartSmart, a series of online newsletters and webisodes based on the National Institutes of Health's Checkpoints program, which has been scientifically shown to help parents improve teen driver safety and is being offered nationally for the first time.

Some of the topics covered in AAA StartSmart's 18 newsletters and Webisodes include night driving, distracted driving, alcohol and other drugs and parent-teen driving agreements.

The site also offers an online version of AAA's Dare to Prepare workshop and lessons from the motor club's Teaching Your Teens to Drive coaching program, both of which assist families that are or soon will be learning to drive.

Parents will find information about Michigan's graduated driver licensing system, selecting a driving school and choosing the right vehicle for their teens. Parents will also learn more about some of the common risks associated with teen drivers.

Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for teens, killing nearly 6,000 teens annually.  Last year, 110 young people between the ages of 16 and 20 years in Michigan lost their lives in motor vehicles crashes. Through safety programs, driver training and legislative efforts, AAA is an active leader in helping to reduce the number of teens injured and killed in vehicle crashes.

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