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WILTON, Conn. - The following is a letter from state Rep. Gail Lavielle, R-Wilton, on Teen Safe Driving Week.
Next week is Teen Safe Driving Week in Connecticut. Its a great time for parents to remind teens of the importance of safe driving before the winter season gets into full swing.
Parent or guardian involvement is crucial for encouraging our newest drivers to develop good habits. There are many regulations and distractions that young drivers need to be aware of as they begin operating motor vehicles. Cellphones, music, friends in the car, food or drinks are only a few of the things that can prevent a teenager from focusing on driving. Seat belts, lights and windshield wipers are all necessary tools with laws relating to their use that parents can teach their kids.
The state Department of Motor Vehicles has an entire section of its website dedicated to teen drivers. The site provides valuable resources for parents, including a list of teen driving restrictions, a training guide and even a Parent-Teen Driving Contract and practice tests for teens. Visit the Center for Teen Safety on the DMVs website here:
http://www.ct.gov/teendriving/taxonomy/ct_taxonomy.asp?DLN=49378&teendrivingNav=|49378|
This year the DMV will include safety warnings for parents in its brochure on laws and training for 16- and 17-year-old drivers. View the brochure here:
http://www.ct.gov/teendriving/lib/teendriving/teendriverbroch.pdf#54927
The DMV is also working on strengthening regulations for commercial driving schools, including those related to licenses and qualifications for those who train driving instructors. As a member of the General Assemblys Transportation Committee, I look forward to working on legislation in this area that will ensure that new drivers receive quality instruction that will help keep them, and everyone on the road, safe.
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