Traffic crashes are the leading cause of death for 15 to 20 year olds. The Ohio State Highway Patrol is unveiling a new Partners for Safety safe teen driving program aimed at educating teens on traffic safety and increasing seat belt usage.

Troopers will be visiting local high schools throughout Ohio to discuss the importance of safe driving, buckling up, and to discourage impaired driving. Teen drivers are at a much higher risk of accidents and fatalities, but are often unaware of how vulnerable they are behind the wheel.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 15 percent of all the drivers involved in traffic fatalities in 1999 were between the ages of 15 and 20. This is significantly high considering 15 to 20 year old drivers account for less than seven percent of all licensed drivers.

Teen drivers can begin a habit of safe driving from the first time they get behind the wheel. Learning to drive safely from the start is much simpler than correcting bad habits in the future.

Impaired driving is a serious problem for teen drivers. Of all 15 to 20 year old drivers killed in traffic crashes nationwide in 1999, more than 20 percent were intoxicated at the time of their death.

Troopers will use Fatal Vision Goggles during the teen driving program presentations to allow teens to experience simulated visual impairment. The Fatal Vision Goggles simulate impaired driving at .08 percent in the daytime and .14 percent at night. The goggles have been very effective because they offer teens an interactive lesson in the dangers of drinking and driving.

In addition to the topic of impaired driving, the Patrol’s safe teen driving program will focus on the following driving skills and habits:

Buckle up! Wearing a safety belt is the easiest thing that can be done to save a life. Teens should also be sure all passengers buckle up as well. More than half of the people killed in motor vehicle crashes in Ohio last year were not wearing their available seat belt.

Obey Speed Limits. Excessive speed is consistently the leading factor for fatal crashes in Ohio.

Drive responsibly. Share the roadways, have patience, and respect other drivers. Aggressive driving, such as speeding, excessive lane changes, and improper passing, place the safety of other motorists at risk.

Avoid aggressive drivers. There are several strategies you can use to minimize the potential dangers of aggressive driving and road rage, including: be polite and courteous, even when other drivers are not; remain calm and move out of the way of an unsafe driver; and do not react to provocation.

Do not drive when you are tired. Try to avoid driving between midnight and 6 a.m. Make sure you are well rested before getting behind the wheel.

Several promotion items will be given to teens to encourage their participation in the Partners for Safety teen effort. The items include license plate brackets, keychains, ice scrapers, registration and insurance card holders, and a Protect Yourself flyer on teen driving.

The Ohio State University football program partnered with the Patrol on a poster aimed at reducing drinking and driving. The poster reads, "Help Us Tackle Drinking and Driving," and will be given to Ohio schools to place in their classrooms and hallways during the campaign.

The Patrol hopes the Partners for Safety teen driving program will make an impact on teen drivers and reduce teen fatalities.

It’s about safety!