As Teen Driver Safety Week arrives October 16-22, the North Dakota Department of Transportation through Vision Zero is asking parents to talk to their teens about the importance of wearing their seat belt.

Seat belts are the single most effective safety device to prevent death and injury in a motor vehicle crash and with 21% of all crashes in 2021 involving teen drivers age 14-19, parents should be sure teens are buckling up. Motor vehicle crashes continues to be the leading cause of injury-related death for North Dakota teens.

“Parents can help protect their kids when they lead by example. When you get in a vehicle make sure putting on your seat belt is the first thing you do and wait to make sure your child does too. Start the conversation early and have one often with your teen about how wearing their seat belt is their best defense in a crash,” said Vision Zero Outreach Coordinator Leah Kelm.

Inexperience, coupled with immaturity, often results in risk-taking behaviors such as speeding, alcohol/drug use, driving distracted and not wearing a seat belt – all of which contribute to an increased death rate among teens. Vision Zero Coordinators are working in schools across North Dakota to reduce serious injuries and fatalities among teens by improving driving behaviors.

Learn more about traffic safety initiatives at VisionZero.ND.gov or join the conversation on the Vision Zero ND Facebook or Twitter page.