Rules of the Road A Class for Parents of New Drivers Sponsored by: DRIVE SMART COLORADO and The Colorado Department of Transportation

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! To empower parents 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 68% Decrease 10% Increase 73 65 46 40 36 GDL Enacted GDL Strengthened Cell Phone Ban

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

Rural Teen 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

Restricted License During First Full Year After Obtaining License: No passengers 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 CANNOT text.

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 Education for Parents 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.

Questions/Concerns

Feedback Please fill out our survey. Thank You!! Please take a moment to give us your opinions and suggestions for this class. We want this to be a valuable experience. Please fill out our survey. Thank You!!

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