Arizona transportation officials are asking parents to make sure teen drivers are ready for the road before they head out on their own. According to the Arizona Department of Transportation, a conversation about safe driving can help reduce common risk factors for young drivers, including not wearing seatbelts, distracted or impaired driving, and speeding.
ADOT is marking Teen Driver Safety Week by encouraging families to talk through driving safety and help teens prepare for their permits and licenses. The agency says teens can review the Arizona Driver License manual and take practice written tests before going in for a permit.
Last year, 31 teen drivers were killed in crashes on Arizona roads, according to crash reports submitted by law enforcement agencies and compiled by ADOT. Motor Vehicle Division Director Mike Cryderman said at-home permit tests and other easy-to-access resources can help make new drivers safer.
Maricopa State Farm agent Rene Chavez also recommended two optional programs for young drivers: Steer Clear and Drive Safe & Save. He said both are designed to help teens build good driving habits that can support both safety and savings.
Steer Clear is aimed at drivers under 25 and focuses on basics such as avoiding distractions, driving on residential and city roads, highway driving, and handling situations like nighttime or stormy weather. Drive Safe & Save tracks habits such as acceleration, braking, turning, and cell phone distraction using interactive maps. More information about teen license restrictions and permissions is available at azdot.gov/teendrivers.
