​When teenagers turn over the engine and turn out of the driveway, parents' and caregivers' hearts likely turn over as well. That's because adults understand that with great power comes great responsibility.

Teen drivers are responsible for themselves, their passengers, pedestrians and other drivers when on the road. But too often, that responsibility is overlooked. Traffic crashes are the leading killer of 16 and 17 year olds in Minnesota as of 2021. Each year, around 30 teens (ages 16-19) are killed on Minnesota roads. Teen drivers are also over-represented in crashes due to factors like inexperience, distraction, speeding/taking risks and not buckling up. In 2021, teens represented 9 percent of drivers but accounted for 18 percent of crashes. That's the bad news. The good news? Parents and guardians have more power to end these dangerous and deadly trends than they might think — they can have the biggest influence on teen's choices when they're behind the wheel.

Practice is key

Practice is key to becoming a safe driver.

To help teens who have their instruction permits, parents and guardians can supervise their practice on the road. This practice should include driving on different road types (city, highway, rural) and in various conditions (night, snow, rain).

Graduated driver's licenses require teens under 18 to log at least 50 hours of driving time with a licensed adult — 40 if the teen's parent or guardian takes part in a parent awareness class. Sign up for a parent awareness class through driver education providers. These last few days of summer break are the perfect opportunity to log some hours before after school activities and homework take over.

Spilled snacks or drinks; the disruptive behaviors of passengers; the ping of a smartphone — distracted driving is a struggle for younger drivers. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) finds that while 8 percent of fatal crashes involve drivers between 15 to 20 years old, those drivers account for 11 percent of all distracted drivers and 16 percent of drivers distracted by cell phones in fatal crashes.

Share these tips with teen drivers to help them avoid distractions:​

• Cell phones: Turn off cell phones or place them out of reach to avoid the urge to dial or answer. If a passenger is present, ask them to handle calls/texts.
• Music and other controls: Pre-program favorite radio stations for easy access and arrange music (mp3 player/CDs/tapes) in an easy-to-access spot. Adjust mirrors and heat/AC before traveling or ask a passenger for their assistance.
• Navigation:  Designate a passenger to serve as a co-pilot to help with directions. If driving alone, map out destinations in advance, and pull over to study a map.
• Eating and drinking:  Try to avoid eating or drinking while driving. Ensure food and drinks are safely secured before you start driving.

For more information on how to keep kids safe this school year, visit HandsFreeMN.org.

Reporters interested in interviewing Office of Traffic Safety Director Mike Hanson about teen driver safety can contact Dave Boxum at dave.boxum@state.mn.us.​