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For Immediate Release
October 15, 2007

 Contact: Jonathan Adkins
202.789.0942
202.669.9746 (cell)


Teen Driving Week Brings Focus to Critical Safety Issue

WASHINGTON, D.C. —The Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) is pleased to participate in the Congressionally-sanctioned National Teen Driver Safety Week. The House passed a resolution naming the third week of every October with this designation. October 15-20 marks the first observance.

According to GHSA Chairman Christopher J. Murphy, “GHSA is delighted that Congress has given highway safety advocates another tool to raise awareness about the key issue of teen driving. The Week is a platform to further elevate the issue and remind parents of the key role they play in ensuring their teens’ safety.”

GHSA will mark the week by co-hosting a hands-on teen driver training event in Los Angeles as part of the Driving Skills for Life program. Three-hundred students are expected to get behind the wheel with professional drivers who will coach them on hazard recognition; vehicle handling; space management; and speed management. More information about this program is online at www.drivingskillsforlife.com.

State Highway Safety Agencies across the country continue to be active on the issue. Many states have year-long programs to increase teen seat belt use, promote graduated licensing laws and reduce underage drinking. Some states are marking Teen Driving Safety Week with various outreach and educational events. A sampling of state activity includes:

  • Arkansas—On October 10, Arkansas Governor Mike Beebe held an announcement ceremony at the State Capitol in Little Rock to officially recognize the Week.
  • Colorado—In support of the Week, Colorado will be conducting its first "Click It or Ticket" enforcement wave, as part of a federally-funded teen seat belt pilot project. The state is also producing posters and TV and radio ads focusing on teen outreach.
  • Georgia—The Governor's Office of Highway Safety is hosting a Youth & Young Adult Highway Safety Leadership Conference for 350 high school and college students.
  • Kentucky—The Department of Transportation Safety is funding MADD's multi-media presentation "Take Two," to draw teen driving awareness in numerous high schools throughout the week.
  • New Jersey—Through its newly formed Teen Driver Study Commission, the Division of Highway Traffic Safety will conduct outreach efforts to bring attention to graduated licensing laws, distracted driving and tips for parents.

Additional state information as well as graduated licensing laws and other teen driving resources are available at www.ghsa.org.