OSHP kicks off National Teen Driver Safety Week, urges safety talks from parents

OHIO — Teen Driver Safety Week kicks off Sunday, and the Ohio State Highway Patrol is reminding parents to have conversations about road safety with their children. 

“Just like mastering a sport or a musical instrument, safe driving takes practice,” said Gov. Mike DeWine, R-Ohio. “I encourage parents and guardians to actively coach their teens on safe driving skills and have open and consistent conversations with their kids about the importance of being a responsible driver.”

The week, which focuses on teenage drivers, runs from Oct. 19 to Oct. 25.

OSHP said parents can help their teen drivers by practicing with them and giving feedback while exposing them to a variety of driving environments.

In 2024, there were more than 37,000 teenage drivers involved in crashes. In the same year, a teen driver was at fault in 64 fatal crashes and over 6,700 injury crashes.

OSHP said a majority of the incidents were connected to preventable behaviors, such as speeding, distracted driving, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs and not wearing a safety belt. 

The department said that of the 44 teen drivers killed in crashes last year, 81% were not wearing a seat belt.

“The Patrol is committed to giving young drivers the tools they need to make safe choices,” said Colonel Charles A. Jones, Patrol superintendent. “Through education, we are working to build a strong foundation of safety that will benefit Ohio’s newest drivers for years to come.”

Teenage drivers under 18-years-old may not have more than one non-family member passenger per Ohio law during the first year of a probationary license, unless a parent or guardian is present.

OSHP’s Drive to Live program is also available for schools to bring in and educate their students. The presentation brings troopers in to share real-world experiences and help educate live drivers. 

Other steps Ohio has taken include the new state-supported app called RoadReady Ohio, which helps parents log the required 50 hours of driving and TeachYourTeentoDrive.ohio.gov which provides support for parents as they coach their children through the three phases of licensure under Ohio’s Graduated Driver’s License law.