Bedford Police Urge Summer Driving Safety for Young Drivers

BEDFORD, MA - As teenagers and young adults increase the amount of time they spend behind the wheel over the summer, Chief Robert Bongiorno and the Bedford Police Department are urging teen drivers and all others on the road to be vigilant.

According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, every year an average of 220 teen drivers and passengers die in traffic crashes during the "100 Deadliest Days," the period between Memorial Day and Labor Day when the number of teen crash fatalities historically rise. This is a 43 percent increase in fatalities compared to the rest of the year.

The leading causes of crashes involving teenagers are distracted driving behaviors including paying attention to other passengers in the car and using a mobile device. Bedford Police remind drivers that Massachusetts law prohibits juvenile operators from using mobile phones and other electronic devices while driving, including making phone calls. The fine for a juvenile’s first offense is $105 and includes a 60-day license suspension and mandatory completion of a driver attitudinal course.

"During the summer months when high school and college are not in session, teenagers and young drivers spend more time behind the wheel driving to jobs, the beach and other destinations," said Bedford’s Traffic Enforcement Officer Marc Saucier in a statement issued Thursday. "It is imperative that teen drivers, and all other motorists and pedestrians, take extreme caution and remain attentive while they are behind the wheel to avoid crashes."

The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety reports that between 1994-2013, nearly two-thirds of people injured or killed in a crash involving a teen driver were people other than the teen behind the wheel. Nearly 30 percent of those killed were in another car, 27 percent were the teen's passenger and 10 percent were non-motorists.

Bedford Police also encourage parents to talk with their children about the dangers of driving including alcohol, seat belts, texting, speeding and extra passengers. Parents should keep an open dialogue with young drivers about any driving experiences or concerns, and can even create a parent-teen driving agreement that outlines the rules, expectations and consequences for the teen driver.

The Bedford Police Department has a parent/teen driving contract available in the police station lobby and on the department's website.

For more information and tips about teen driver safety, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's website or contact the Bedford Police Department at 781-275-1212.