November 15, 2007

Talking to teens about driving

Community forum offers strategies on safe driving for teens

By Jeanne C. Carbone
Staff Writer Almaden Times Weekly

Teenage driving was the focus of a community forum at the Almaden Community Cen-ter on Oct. 24.

District 10 Councilmember Nancy Pyle, standing, Almaden Valley Counseling Service and Leland High School present “How to Keep Your Children Safe—Talking to Teens about Driving” on Oct. 24 at the Almaden Community Center. Seated with Pyle are DA Julie Alloggiamento, SJPD Sgt. Jeff Marozick, Rich De La Rosa, AVCS Director Karen Sumi, and Leland High Principal Bob Setterlund. Photos by Jeanne C. Carbone

“We’re here tonight for a very serious subject—teen-age driving,” said District 10 Councilmember Nancy Pyle.

The forum, “How to Keep Your Children Safe—Talking to Teens about Driving,” provided parents with information and tools to create effective dialogues with their teens about safe driving.

The event was co-sponsored by Pyle, Almaden Valley Counseling Service [AVCS] and Leland High School. Keynote speakers included San Jose Police Department Sgt. Jeff Marozick, Deputy District Attorney Julie Alloggiamen-to, Allstate Insurance owner Rich De La Rosa, and AVCS Director Karen Sumi.

“Teen driving accidents are extremely high when you look at the age groups,” said Marozick. “It dips down when we’re middle aged and then [when people are] in their 80s accidents go up again.”

Education
A new law effective in July prohibits teens under 18 to use cell phones, laptops or text messaging while driving. Statistics show talking on a cell phone increases the likelihood of an accident by four times. It also slows the average driver’s reaction to that of a 70-year-old.

Fifty-four percent of teenagers fail driving tasks when distracted. Auto accidents account for 44 percent of teenage deaths.

In 1997, California placed several restrictions on teen drivers. Those with licenses less than a year old can’t drive a vehicle unless there is an adult 25 years or older in the car. In addition, teenagers can’t drive from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. without a written note from a parent. Statistics show that teens are distracted when other teens are in a car and that accidents increase in the evening. Many teens don’t bother to wear seatbelts, a leading cause of injuries.

Driving record points are issued for each accident. One point is issued along with a warning letter from the DMV for the first accident. If a second accident occurs, the driver receives a second point and a 30-day driving suspension. A third accident results in a six-month driving suspension. If alcohol is involved, the suspension increases to one year. Points remain on a record for three years if alcohol is related. Markozick said that a blood alcohol level of .01 is illegal if you are under 21 years old and that “these are laws to protect teens.”

SJPD is educating teenagers with programs like “Every 15 Minutes” “Sober Graduation” and the “Seatbelt Challenge.” They are currently working on Maxwell’s Pledge where teens will sign a contract committing to safe driving. Maxwell Harding, 18, was a passenger killed in the July 23 accident that killed the driver Erick Satterstrom, 19, and pedestrians Inder and Uma Batra on Graystone Lane.

“Parents need to set an example,” Markozick said. “The real power lies with you. Driving is a privilege not a right.”

Enforcement
Deputy DA Alloggiamento presented the law enforcement aspect of teen accidents and driving under the influence [DUI] with “the idea to prevent it before it becomes a crime.”

California has a zero-tolerance law. The legal maximum blood alcohol concentration is .01 percent for drivers under 21.

“You can be arrested” if you have been drinking, said Alloggiamento. “It is [a] criminal [act] and you can be prosecuted. The law follows medical studies. Underage drinking and driving is scary. I urge kids to think about how will they live with themselves if they kill their best friend.”

A teenager with a .05 blood alcohol concentration can be prosecuted for a DUI and could lose their license for up to three years. Fines, drinking and driving courses, court costs and attorney fees may range up to $10,000, she said. If someone is injured, a teen could face vehicular manslaughter charges. Insurance costs increase with accidents.

“Just because a child turns 16 doesn’t mean they are ready to drive,” said De La Rosa. “The only one to make that determination is the parent. Parents hold the most influence over their kids.”

He presented insurance statistics. For example, one point or less is a good driver. Two points is considered a non-good driver and doubles insurance rates. According to statistics, he said a woman’s brain does not fully mature until she’s 25 years old and a man’s at 29. He suggested parents create rules, develop accountability measures and provide new teen drivers with a contract that is available at www.allstateteendriver.com.

Parenting
“Parents need to make rules, and the laws help make the rules,” said Sumi. “A teen can’t drive after 11 p.m. by law so that becomes the curfew and a rule.”

She suggests conversations with teens include a curfew that is enforced. She also suggests role-playing so teens are better equipped to deal with difficult situations including a friend who has been drinking offering them a ride home, or a party where everyone is drinking. A conversation before the actual experience gives teens answers and provides ammunition for making a different choice.

District 10 Councilmember Nancy Pyle invites teens to the stage after the forum.

Parents should know their children’s friends, and shouldn’t be afraid to be a parent. Inform teens of the consequences—paying tickets, higher insurance rates, chores or grounding for breaking the rules. Rules are easier to enforce if the penalties are known beforehand. Also, take advantage of “teachable moments” when a TV show or movie makes reckless driving or drinking seem cool. This is the opportunity to talk to your child.

Sumi recommends parents not treat teens easier for special circumstances, especially “not a car full of kids on prom night. Make an acceptation not the rule. You are your teen’s most important role model,” she said.

Driver training is a graduation requirement in California, said Setterlund. Leland offers the book study and certificate, but not the actual behind the wheel experience. That responsibility lies with the parents through actual teaching or driving school.

A question-and-answer session followed. Martin Harding told those attending, “My son died in a speeding accident as a passenger. My wife and I got a lot of data after the event. Pass this onto your friends who have kids. Ask the question about whose car they’re getting into. My son wasn’t the driver. Don’t get lulled into a false sense of security.”

Facts About Teen Driving
- Car crashes caused by teen drivers are the number-1 killer in America

- Approximately 6,000 teenagers are killed every year in motor vehicle crashes--16 everyday.

- From 1994 to 2003, 57,142 teenagers were killed in motor vehicle crashes.

- The crash rate among 16- to 19-year-olds is four times greater than among older drivers.

- Risk is highest at age 16; the crash rate is two times greater than that of 18- to 19-year-olds.

- Teens have the lowest rate of seat belt use.

- The deadliest months of the year for teen drivers are June, July and August.

- On July 4, an average of 28 teenagers die in car crashes annually.

- Each additional friend in the car increases the chances of a fatal accident.

- Talking on cell phones increases the likelihood of an accident by four times and slows the average person’s reaction time to that of a 70-year-old.