PennDOT Secretary Takes Lead in Young Driver Safety Initiative

PennDOT Secretary Takes Lead in Young Driver Safety Initiative

6/21/2016-HARRISBURG

PennDOT Secretary Leslie S. Richards is using a personal approach in a new
program aimed at delivering an important safety message to young drivers
who
are convicted of moving traffic violations.

Recently, drivers age 16 through 20 cited for driving infractions received
a
personal letter from Richards reminding them of the importance of obeying
the
law and the consequences of poor driving habits so early in their driving
experience.

"The issue of young drivers definitely hits home with me as it does with
any
parent. Car crashes are the number one cause of death among 16- through
20-year-olds in Pennsylvania," Richards said. "If we can save one young
driver
by my personally reminding them that a violation of traffic laws not only
means
a ticket, but even more serious consequences, then it is well worth the
effort."

The letter initiative expands upon an existing program through which 16-
and
17-year-old drivers, as well as their parents, receive letters from the
Department when the young drivers are guilty of a violation that results in

points on their driving record or a suspension of their driving privilege.

The letter reminds young drivers that they have a personal responsibility
for
their own safety and the safety of others through knowledge of and
obedience to
traffic laws. It also uses statistical and scientific data about teen
driver
crashes and fatalities to drive these points home.
In 2015, there were 22,682 crashes involving a driver age 16 through 20,
resulting in a total of 150 fatalities. These totals represent nearly 18
percent of the 2015 total crash number of 127,127 and 12.5 percent of the
total
2015 fatality number of 1,200. The 397,690 drivers in this age group in
2015
represented just over four percent of licensed drivers.

Parents and young drivers can find important safety tips and information
designed to help mitigate the chances of being involved in a crash by
visiting
www.penndot.gov/safety and looking under Traffic Safety and Driver Topics.


MEDIA CONTACT: Alexis Campbell, 717-787-0485

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