Joint Release:
St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office
St. Mary’s County Health Department
LEONARDTOWN, MD (May 14, 2025) – In recognition of Youth Traffic Safety Month, the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office is reminding teen drivers and their families about the importance of safe driving practices. Law enforcement agencies nationwide are teaming up to educate young drivers and reduce the risk of accidents, especially as teens begin to drive independently.
According to recent statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in 2021, 2,116 drivers aged 15 to 20 were killed, and it’s estimated that 203,256 were injured in motor vehicle accidents. Young drivers are substantially more likely to be involved in vehicle crashes than adult drivers. In 2021, drivers under the age of 21 made up 5.1% of licensed drivers; however, they made up 8.5% of drivers in fatal crashes and 12.6% of drivers in all crashes. Drivers 15-20 years of age have the highest involvement in fatal crashes of any age group.
“Driving safely is one of the most important skills a young person can have. As teens gain more independence behind the wheel, they must understand the importance of safe driving behaviors,” said Sheriff Steve Hall. “It’s critical that we, as law enforcement officers and parents, work together to educate and guide young drivers toward making smart, responsible choices so that safe driving becomes a lifelong skill—for their sake and the safety of everyone on the road.”
“Too many young lives are lost each year to preventable car crashes,” adds St. Mary’s County Child Fatality Review Coordinator Ashley Milcetic. “As a community, we have the power and the responsibility to change that. Talking to your teens about safe driving, modeling good habits, and staying involved can make a difference. Let’s work together to protect our children and make sure they have the future they deserve.”
Key Tips for Teen Drivers:
Parental Guidance:
Parents play a crucial role in setting the tone for their teen drivers. The St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office encourages parents to:
Law Enforcement Efforts:
The St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office will step up enforcement efforts during Youth Traffic Safety Month, with increased patrols in areas with high teen driving activity. Deputies will specifically watch for speeding, distracted driving, and failure to wear seatbelts. They will also write citations, which could negatively affect your driving status and insurance. While that is never our goal, as you can see, the risks are too great.
For More Information:
If you have questions about teen driving safety or would like information about safe teen driving resources, please contact the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office or visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s website https://www.nhtsa.gov/road-safety/teen-driving.
The post St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office and St. Mary’s County Health Department Remind Teen Drivers to Stay Safe During Youth Traffic Safety Month appeared first on St. Mary's County Health Department.
St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office
St. Mary’s County Health Department
LEONARDTOWN, MD (May 14, 2025) – In recognition of Youth Traffic Safety Month, the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office is reminding teen drivers and their families about the importance of safe driving practices. Law enforcement agencies nationwide are teaming up to educate young drivers and reduce the risk of accidents, especially as teens begin to drive independently.
According to recent statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in 2021, 2,116 drivers aged 15 to 20 were killed, and it’s estimated that 203,256 were injured in motor vehicle accidents. Young drivers are substantially more likely to be involved in vehicle crashes than adult drivers. In 2021, drivers under the age of 21 made up 5.1% of licensed drivers; however, they made up 8.5% of drivers in fatal crashes and 12.6% of drivers in all crashes. Drivers 15-20 years of age have the highest involvement in fatal crashes of any age group.
“Driving safely is one of the most important skills a young person can have. As teens gain more independence behind the wheel, they must understand the importance of safe driving behaviors,” said Sheriff Steve Hall. “It’s critical that we, as law enforcement officers and parents, work together to educate and guide young drivers toward making smart, responsible choices so that safe driving becomes a lifelong skill—for their sake and the safety of everyone on the road.”
“Too many young lives are lost each year to preventable car crashes,” adds St. Mary’s County Child Fatality Review Coordinator Ashley Milcetic. “As a community, we have the power and the responsibility to change that. Talking to your teens about safe driving, modeling good habits, and staying involved can make a difference. Let’s work together to protect our children and make sure they have the future they deserve.”
Key Tips for Teen Drivers:
- Always Wear Your Seatbelt: Buckling up is one of the simplest ways to reduce the risk of injury in the event of an accident.
- Avoid Distracted Driving: Texting, using apps, or talking on the phone while driving can significantly impair your ability to react to the road.
- Limit Passengers: Studies show that having teen passengers in the car increases the likelihood of a crash. Restrict the number of passengers, especially in the first months of driving.
- No Drinking and Driving: It’s illegal for drivers under 21 to consume alcohol, and driving under the influence is a leading cause of crashes.
- Follow the Speed Limit: Speeding reduces your ability to react quickly and increases the severity of any accident.
Parental Guidance:
Parents play a crucial role in setting the tone for their teen drivers. The St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office encourages parents to:
- Set clear rules for driving behavior.
- Have ongoing conversations with their teens about impaired and distracted driving dangers.
- Model safe driving behavior and lead by example.
Law Enforcement Efforts:
The St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office will step up enforcement efforts during Youth Traffic Safety Month, with increased patrols in areas with high teen driving activity. Deputies will specifically watch for speeding, distracted driving, and failure to wear seatbelts. They will also write citations, which could negatively affect your driving status and insurance. While that is never our goal, as you can see, the risks are too great.
For More Information:
If you have questions about teen driving safety or would like information about safe teen driving resources, please contact the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office or visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s website https://www.nhtsa.gov/road-safety/teen-driving.
The post St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office and St. Mary’s County Health Department Remind Teen Drivers to Stay Safe During Youth Traffic Safety Month appeared first on St. Mary's County Health Department.