In recognition of National Teen Driver Safety Week in Canada (October 15 to 21), ICBC is showing ways teens, their families, and their friends and do make smarter decisions while driving.
Distracted driving remains the main factor for teen drivers in crashes.
ICBC stresses distracted driving is more than being on your phone; it is anything that takes the driver’s focus away from the road including eating, changing music, and putting on make-up.
ICBC lists the following tips for teens:
- Use tech wisely: Use the ‘Do Not Disturb while driving’ feature on your iPhone or install a distracted driving app to help you resist temptation;
- Remember the rules: If you’re in the graduated licensing program, it’s illegal to use electronic devices while driving, even hands-free;
- Keep music low enough to hear everything else: Sounds from the road can affect the decisions you make as a driver. Turn down the volume, and remove ear buds so you’re able to hear the siren of an ambulance or the screech of a car.
Statistics have also been released regarding teen drivers, showing two youth die in car crashes across B.C. every month, and 20 youth are injured daily.
In the North-Central region of B.C. between 2011 and 2015, there have been 32 youth fatalities and 1,940 youth injuries from car crashes.
In casualty crashes involving youth, distracted driving is the top contributing factor at 34%, followed by speed at 17%, and impaired driving at 7%.
DYK – distracted driving is the main contributing factor for teen drivers in crashes. https://t.co/6Qjueq8nWz #NationalTeenDriverSafetyWeek pic.twitter.com/5a5qAuFwgc
— ICBC (@icbc) October 16, 2017
Something going on in the Prince George area you think people should know about?
Send us a news tip by emailing [email protected].
