Dear Teen Driver

November 10, 2008

To my dearest daughter, and her friends :

Congratulations! Much like other milestones achieved in your life, you now have your driver’s license. Cool. You will love not having to ask me or your dad for rides. But with that privilege comes responsibility. Here are just a few things to keep in mind:

1. Look around your classroom. See 10 people? One of you will be involved in a crash. 20 people? That makes 2 of you.

2. The State of Minnesota has recently passed a law saying you can’t have more than one passenger your age in the car with you for a while. (like 6 months). Do you know why?
Your risk of DYING in the car goes up with each passenger. Get this: If you are 16 and have 1 passenger in the car, your risk of dying is 39% higher than if you were alone. It’s 86% higher if you have 2 passengers and 282% higher with three passengers. DEAD IS DEAD. It’s not worth it.
One of the driving instructors, Mr. Mead, had a great idea. Have ALL the passengers act as alert drivers, pointing out activity on the road. You all work together to get to your destination safely. Leave your ego at home.

3. Seat belts are important. In 4 short years in Minnesota (1999-2003), 305 kids aged 15-28 DIED in traffic crashes. 74 % did not have a seat belt on. You have to wear it. ALL the time (and keep reminding me).

4. I may tell you that you can’t drive after 9 p.m. for the first few months after you get your license. O.K. I know the new state law says midnight. I don’t care. Research shows that night crashes peak NOT when the bars close after midnight, but between 9 p.m. and 12. It’s not forever, but for a short time, till you get more experience.

5. And NO cell phones while driving. EVER. Distracted driving = crash. End of story.
I may sound like the nastiest, most restrictive mother in the world, but anyone driving past a fatal crash scene slows down and looks at it. “Is it someone I know” they think. I don’t want it to be you, or your friends, or anyone in our community.
I will harass you. Remember that. But it’s because I love you.

Your mom,
Joy Westerdahl M.D.
Chairman Safe Communities of Wright County

P.S. It’s still cool (and always will be) to ride your bike. Its great exercise and good for the environment.

Safe Communities of Wright County News

1 Comment(s) - Post a Comment

On December 10, 2008 Tamra Boswell said:

"having this privilage is a really big responsibility just please every one be carefull because i no how it feels to lose someone in a car accadent (danny thane fry)"



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