History of the Cobb County Teen Driver Awareness Committee

During 1996 and 1997, there have been numerous serious automobile accidents in Cobb County in which over 12 teenagers lost their lives and many more were seriously injured. These accidents prompted a group of Cobb County parents from Harrison High School to form a committee to educate our teen drivers and their parents on the dangers of driving. In particular, the Committee wanted to focus on how to help teenage drivers understand the dangers of inexperienced driving, and, to motivate parents to work with their teenagers to be better drivers.

Gwinnett County experienced a similar situation in the late 1980’s. As a result, they formed a group called the Gwinnett County Teen Traffic Tragedies Task Force. One of the actions of this Task Force was to publish a handbook entitled "A Handbook for Responsible Driving". After this handbook was published, a significant decrease was experienced in teen driving accidents in Gwinnett County. Based on the success of this handbook, we approached Gwinnett County and they gave permission to Cobb County to develop their version of the handbook.

The Cobb County Teen Driver Awareness Committee is dedicated to assisting Cobb County teenagers and their parents in working together to create a safe driving environment in Cobb County and on the roads of Georgia. This handbook is a tool which can be used to understand the dangers of driving and to provide information to young drivers to learn from. The Cobb County Teen Driver Awareness Committee would like to sincerely thank the 14th District PTA, Harrison High School and the Cobb County Board of Education as well as all of the other sponsors who have helped make this project a reality.

One of every twenty-four teens ages 15 - 19 was injured in a motor vehicle crash in Georgia in 1995.

History of the Task Force

Points to Consider

Teenage and Adult Driver Responsibility Act

Driving Contract Information

Sample Rewards and Consequences

Teen/Parent Contract for Safe Driving

Driving Checklist

Ten Common Driving Errors

Tips for Parents/Guardians

We hope you find the information useful in discussing and learning about driving responsibilities.

Developing the necessary motor skills for safe driving is a complex task and can only be learned through many hours of practice and review. Please take the time to read this material and use any of it you feel will help develop safe driving skills within your family.

For questions, comments, or information, call Cobb County School’s Prevention Intervention Center at (770)319-3738.

Points to Consider

Let’s Start Talking….

Whether you have been driving for many years, or, are just beginning, these safety concerns are for everyone. Together, parents and teens can take steps to reduce their chances of experiencing a car crash. Below are points to consider and discuss.

1. When choosing a car, remember, advanced driving skills are necessary to control high performance and lightweight cars, especially in emergency situations.

2. Getting behind the wheel of a car when you are angry or upset often results in unsafe driving behaviors.

3. Safety belts save lives. As of July 1, 1994, it is unlawful for front seat occupants and passengers up to the age of 18 in both the front and rear seats to travel in a vehicle without safety belts fastened.


Having car insurance does not necessarily mean that anyone can drive or borrow your car. Familiarize yourself with your family’s insurance policy and your legal liabilities.Establish specific agreements related to the loan of a family vehicle to other drivers. Another driver who is unfamiliar with the vehicle’s steering, braking or power may experience confusion or panic in an emergency situation.Remind drivers that they are not only responsible for their own safety, but also for the safety of all passengers in the car and other persons on the road.An automobile is a powerful machine. It can destroy property, and injure or kill people. Discuss your feelings about what may occur as a result of a traffic accident.Safety on the road is everyone’s business. Any loss of life is devastating. Discuss grief, loss and the value of life.Form a neighborhood coalition for the protection of you and your neighbors by confronting those who drive irresponsibly and create unsafe situations in your neighborhood. Your coalition can also develop prevention programs.Underage drinking is against the law and is not part of "growing up". Establish, monitor and enforce no alcohol or other drug use for teens and no-drinking and driving rules for the entire household.Since most crashes occur within 25 miles of home, require all passengers to buckle up every trip - no matter how short the distance.



Georgia Department of Public Safety figures showed factors such as excessive speeding and inexperience were responsible for almost 90% of teenage driver fatalities.




It is a fact that a higher risk is involved when teenage drivers and passengers travel together without adults. An even higher risk is involved as the number of teen passengers increases. Discuss the reasons why this is true and what can be done about it. Discuss the responsibilities and necessary precautions when riding in a car driven by a teen.Training doesn’t end with driver education classes. Research shows that young drivers trained in these courses have as many crashes as those who learned from their parents or private driving school. Maturing into a safe driver requires continuous training and practice in good driving techniques.Discuss ahead of time the expectations, responsibilities, curfews and family rules. (A sample contract is provided in this brochure for your use.)

In 1995, there were 469,466 crashes with drivers of all ages. Among these, drivers 16 - 17 years old had 31,321 crashes (approximately 6.7 %) even though they only accounted for 3.0% of the total drivers.
 

Source: Governor’s Office of Highway Safety 1997 Fact Book

While motor vehicle crashes in Georgia increased 21% for all driver age groups, the increase for young drivers ages 16 - 17 was even greater, 31% from 23,848 in 1992 to 31,321 in 1995.
 
 Teenage and Adult Driver Responsibility Act
(Summary of Major Provisions)

1. GRADUATED DRIVERS LICENSING (Effective date July 1, 1997)

1. Instruction Permit will be granted to anyone age 15 or older. The permit will be valid for 2 years. A permit holder must drive with a licensed driver age 21 or older.

2. Class D License will be granted to anyone (1) age 16 or older, (2) who has had a valid permit for at least 12 months, and, (3) who, during the preceding 12 months, has not been convicted for DUI, Hit and Run, Leaving the Scene of an Accident, or any offense for which 4 or more points are assessed which include going 24 or more miles per hour over the speed limit; passing on a hill or a curve; and, illegally passing a school bus.

Limitations on Class D License:

 

	Cannot drive between 1:00 A.M. and 5:00 A.M. unless going to work, going to a school event, going to a religious activity, or for a medical, fire or law enforcement emergency.
	Cannot drive with more than 3 passengers under the age of 21 who are not members of the immediate family. (This is a secondary offense only; i.e., the driver can only be charged in addition to another traffic offense.)

3. Class C License will be granted to anyone (1) age 18 or older, (2) WHO HAS A VALID Class D license for at least 12 months, and, (3) who, during the preceding 12 months, has not been convicted for DUI, Hit and Run, Leaving the Scene of an Accident, or any offense for which 4 or more points are assessed.

 

2. STAY IN SCHOOL REQUIREMENT (Effective January 1, 1998)

1. No one under age 18 shall be eligible for an instruction permit or a drivers license unless the applicant submits proof of being enrolled in school, having graduated from high school (including a GED), is enrolled in a secondary school, or has a parent or guardian’s permission to withdraw from school

2. An instruction permit or drivers license of anyone under the age of 18 will be suspended if the minor (1) drops out of school without parental permission; (2) misses 10 consecutive days of school in a semester without an excuse: or, (3) is suspended from school for threatening or striking a teacher or school employee, possessing drugs or alcohol on school property, or possessing a weapon on school property. A license suspension of 90 days is mandatory for a suspension from school.



Most recent statistics show that one out of every three 16 and 17 year olds will be involved in a collision.



3. SUSPENSIONS AND REVOCATIONS (Effective July 1, 1997)

1. Drivers under age 21 will have their drivers license revoked for the following offenses:

	Hit and Run or Leaving the Scene of an Accident
	Racing or eluding an Officer
	Reckless Driving
	Any Offense for which 4 or more Points are Assessed
	Purchasing or Attempting to Purchase an Alcoholic Beverage (a non-driving offense)
	Driving Under the Influence

* Offenses with less than 4 points are not cumulative and will not result in license being revoked.

2. Period of Revocation

	1st Offense: 6 months
	2nd Offense or DUI with BAC of .08 or more: 12 months

 

4. ZERO TOLERANCE AND DUI (Effective date July 1, 1997)

4. ZERO TOLERANCE AND DUI (Effective date July 1, 1997)

1. Anyone under age 21 with a Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) of .02 grams or more at anytime within 3 hours of driving is guilty of Driving Under the Influence. The .02 level allows for the presence of cough syrup, mouthwash, communion wine, etc.

1. Penalty (in addition to revocations outlined above) for .02 or more but less than .08:

	1st conviction - A fine of $300 to $1,000, 10 days to 12 months of imprisonment (all of which can be suspended by the judge), and at least 20 hours of community service.
	2nd conviction - A fine of $600 to $1,000, 90 days to 12 months of imprisonment (all but 48 hours can be suspended by the judge), and at least 40 hours of community service.
	3rd conviction - A fine of $1,000 to $5,000, 120 days to 12 months of imprisonment (all but 10 days can be suspended by the judge), and at least 40 hours of community service.

2. Penalty for driving with a BAC of .08 or higher (regardless of age):/LI>

1st Conviction - must serve 24 hours in jail.