National Teen Driver Safety Week highlights risks for young drivers

This article was originally published by California's KESQ News Channel 3.

COACHELLA VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ) - National Teen Driver Safety Week is underway, bringing attention to the risks young drivers face on the road, including speeding and distracted driving.

Riverside County Public Health data shows 2,744 fatal and nonfatal crashes involving drivers ages 13 to 18 from 2022 through 2024. The county also reported 48 fatal crashes involving drivers in that age group during the same period.

Tammy Gweedo McGee, executive director of the Gweedo Memorial Foundation, is working to prevent similar tragedies after losing her son, Connor, in a crash.

McGee urges parents to talk with their teens about risky driving, set clear expectations and watch for warning signs.

Experts are also highlighting technology designed to help reduce speeding among new drivers. Michael Travars, president of LifeSafer, discussed intelligent speed assistance (ISA), which can use speed-limit information to restrict how fast a vehicle travels.

Travars says parents can use available technology and driving reports to monitor their teens’ behavior and reinforce safe habits.

McGee says recognizing patterns like repeated speeding or failing to wear a seat belt can give parents an opportunity to intervene before a crash occurs. National Teen Driver Safety Week encourages families to have ongoing conversations about safe driving and the consequences of risky behavior.