It's 'Teen driver safety week'

It's "Teen Driver Safety Week" across the nation. Virginia State Police say this is a good time for parents to review the rules of the road with their teenaged drivers.

According to Virginia State Police, teen traffic deaths across the state are down 34 percent compared to last year. “Despite this year’s current decrease in teenage traffic fatalities, it is still disheartening and frustrating to see such loss of life involving our young people when they are just starting to encounter the privilege and responsibility of driving a motor vehicle,” said Colonel Flaherty, Virginia State Police Superintendent.

Ttroopers remind young drivers and their parents that buckling up, obeying speed limits and avoiding distractions like cell phones save lives.

Two new studies revealed that teens who said their parents set clear rules, paid attention to where their children were going and whom they were with and did so in a supportive way were:

• Half as likely to crash
• Twice as likely to wear seatbelts
• 71 percent less likely to drive intoxicated
• 30 percent less likely to use a cell phone while driving

These findings were compared to teens who said their parents were less involved.

Click the links below for more information on the studies:
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia study
State Farm study