DeWine Launches Campaign to Promote Safe Teen Driving
Gov. Mike DeWine has launched a new statewide campaign aimed at encouraging parents to dedicate more time to teaching their teens how to drive safely.
Produced by the Ohio Traffic Safety Office, the initiative highlights the importance of parental involvement in developing responsible driving habits, comparing it to the time teens spend practicing sports or other extracurricular activities.
“Teens spend a significant amount of time practicing extracurriculars, and parents should set the expectation that their kids put that same amount of effort into learning to drive,” said DeWine. “It’s equally important that parents commit to putting in the hours, too.”
Ohio law mandates 50 hours of behind-the-wheel practice with a parent or guardian before a teen can obtain a probationary license. However, state officials say many families are falling short of this requirement.
Emily Davidson, director of the Ohio Traffic Safety Office, emphasized the need for better awareness: “Research shows that many families do not understand the dangers that teen drivers face, or how to appropriately guide a new teen driver.”
The campaign includes new online resources to help parents become effective driving coaches, aiming to equip teens with lifelong safe driving habits.
