By admin 
TUCSON, Ariz. (13 News) – For many teenagers, getting behind the wheel means a new sense of freedom and independence. But with that freedom comes responsibility.
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As National Teen Driver Safety Week kicks off Sunday, Oct. 18, parents across Southern Arizona are being encouraged to talk with their teens about the habits that can help keep them safe on the road.
Traffic crashes are one of the leading causes of death for teenagers ages 15 to 18 in the United States, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
For 18-year-old Alexis Nelson, who has already earned her driver’s license, one lesson from learning to drive continues to stick with her: putting the phone away.
“Your phone is going to be there when you get to wherever you are. The notification is going to be there, so you might as well just wait. It’s safer,” Nelson said.
It’s a message federal safety officials are emphasizing during National Teen Driver Safety Week, which runs from Oct. 18 through Oct. 24.
NHTSA is encouraging parents to have conversations with their teens about the dangers of distracted driving, speeding, driving under the influence and other risky behaviors behind the wheel.
But learning to drive safely involves more than simply knowing the rules of the road.
Nelson said building confidence and overcoming nerves are also important parts of the experience, especially for teenagers who are still getting comfortable behind the wheel.
“Everybody goes through nerves. It’s a normal thing. Just be confident and be willing to learn for sure,” Nelson said.
Peter Fell, lead instructor at Stop and Go Driving School in Tucson, said patience can make a significant difference when helping young drivers develop their skills.
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He said parents should focus on creating a calm learning environment rather than adding pressure when their teens make mistakes.
“You don’t have to yell at them, and that really enhances a really good atmosphere and the learning curve just really takes off,” Fell said.
Through his experience teaching young drivers, Fell said one of the most rewarding parts of the job is watching students become more comfortable and independent behind the wheel.
“When you see the fear melting off of them when they realize, ‘Hey, I can do this,’ it’s because you had a hand in that,” Fell said. “You really help people become free and independent.”
While that confidence can grow with experience, safety officials say developing responsible driving habits shouldn’t stop once a teenager receives a license.
The National Road Safety Foundation also emphasizes the important role parents play in shaping their children’s driving behavior, encouraging families to start conversations early and lead by example.
That includes following the same rules they expect their teens to follow, such as putting away phones, obeying speed limits and always wearing a seat belt.
For Southern Arizona families, National Teen Driver Safety Week serves as a reminder that learning to drive is about more than passing a test or earning a license.
It’s about building habits that can help keep young drivers and everyone sharing the road safe for years to come.
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