Stafford County Sheriff’s Office

A Parents Guide to Graduated Licensing

Presented By: 1st Sgt. Nancy Morin and

1st Sgt. Brian Jacobs

Stafford County Sheriff’s Office

Stafford County Crash Facts for 2011

There are 87,756 total licensed drivers.

There were 1,981 reportable crashes.

Out of those 1,981 reportable crashes, 414 of them involved teens between the ages of

16-19.

In Va. there were 57 fatalities involving teens between the ages of 16-19. Stafford County last year had no teen fatalities.

Source:DMV Crash facts of Virginia

Stafford County Sheriff’s Office

Top 5 Young Driver Actions Contributing to Crashes for 2011

Following Too Close

Failure to Yield Speeding Ran Traffic Control Device

Improper Lane Change

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Stafford County Sheriff’s Office

Why Teens are at Risk 1. Driver inexperience.

2. Risk-taking behavior.

3. High risk situations (e.g., weather, night driving).

4. Alcohol and drug use.

5. Decision making, Impulse Control and Multitasking put teens at a higher risk because their brains haven’t maturely developed at this age.

Stafford County Sheriff’s Office

Virginia Has Laws to Protect Our Teens Graduated Licensing

Passenger Limitation Restrictions

First year of license: One passenger who is less than 18 years old

Second year of license: Three passengers who are less than 18 years old

Stafford County Sheriff’s Office

Graduated Licensing Curfew Restrictions

Cannot drive between the hours of midnight and 4:00 a.m.

Stafford County Sheriff’s Office

Accidents Involving Youth Drivers Between the Hours of 12:00 a.m. – 4:00 a.m. in

Stafford County

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Stafford County Sheriff’s Office

Cell phone use for Provisional License Holders

Except in a driver emergency or when the vehicle is lawfully parked or stopped, the holder of a provisional driver’s license shall not operate a motor vehicle on the highways of the Commonwealth while using any cellular telephone or any other wireless telecommunications device, regardless of whether such device is or is not hand-held.

Stafford County Sheriff’s Office

Texting While Driving

It is unlawful for any person to operate a motor vehicle on the highways of Virginia while:

Communicating with another person either text messaging or email through a handheld communication device.

Stafford County Sheriff’s Office

Safety BeltsRequired use for:1. Drivers2 Front seat Passengers3. As of July 1, 2010 all occupants

under the age of 18. The driver is cited unless the person is licensed.

Fact:In Virginia last year there were 28 fatalities involving teens between the ages of 16-19 that were not wearing a seat belt.

Stafford County Sheriff’s Office

On behalf of the men and women of the Stafford Sheriff’s Office, we thank you for helping us make our community and our roads Safe.

Stafford County Sheriff’s Office

Internet Resources YOVASO (Youth of Va. Speak Out)

WWW.YOVASO.NET

Survive the Drive www.staffordsheriff.com

The Art of Driving www.theartofdriving.org Parent teen contract

Guides Parents on ways to have an active role in your teens driving abilities

Geico Youth At Risk