Talk to your kids about safe driving. 

That’s the best advice to minimize risk factors teen drivers statistically face — such as not wearing seatbelts, distracted or impaired driving and speeding — according to the Arizona Department of Transportation. 

In honor of Teen Driver Safety Week, ADOT is spending the next few days reminding parents to not only have driving safety discussions but to prepare them for the road. 

Last year, 31 teen drivers were killed in crashes on Arizona roads, according to crash reports submitted by law enforcement agencies and compiled by ADOT. 

“Providing resources to new drivers in formats that are convenient and accessible, such as at-home permit tests, is crucial to ensuring all drivers on Arizona roadways are safer,” said Motor Vehicle Division Director Mike Cryderman. 

Teens can learn the rules of the road in the Arizona Driver License manual and can take practice written tests to prepare themselves before getting their permit. 

Maricopa State Farm agent Rene Chavez recommends two teen driving programs to minimize teen driving risk: the Safe Driver Training for Steer Clear and the Drive Safe & Save Safe Driver Discount program. 

“Both of these programs are optional [for teens], but they are intended to help teach our youthful drivers great driving habits that can lead to safety and savings,” he said. 

The Steer Clear program is for young drivers under 25. It emphasizes driving basics; including avoiding distraction, navigating residential and city roads, safe highway driving, as well as special driving situations like driving at night or in stormy weather.  

The Drive Safe and Save program tracks driving habits like gradual acceleration, breaking, smooth turning, and cell phone distraction with interactive maps that help create safe driving habits. 

To find more information about teen license restrictions and permissions, visit azdot.gov/teendrivers.