For Immediate Release
June 24, 2016

HARTFORD – Lt. Governor Nancy Wyman joined state officials and medical professionals to remind teens and their parents to keep safe behind the wheel this summer by paying attention to teen driving laws designed to protect the state's youngest and most inexperienced drivers.

Teens during the summer often have excess time on their hands which can lead to joyriding with passengers, drinking and driving, and violating the state’s curfew laws. All of these are prohibited by the state’s teen driving measures, which are designed to protect teens from crashes, injuries and death.  Today's press conference is designed to raise awareness with parents to ensure their teens are following these laws.

In 2015, state DOT statistics show there were 4,079 crashes in Connecticut involving a 16 or 17-year-old driver.  In 2014, there were 3,759 crashes involving that same age group.

“Connecticut has strong teen driving laws, but despite these restrictions, last year we saw a 9 percent increase in car crashes involving 16 and 17 year-olds,” Lt. Governor Wyman said.  “We need everyone engaged in teaching young drivers to be responsible behind the wheel—and making our roads safer for all drivers.”

The state’s teen driving laws for 16-and 17-year-old drivers include passenger restrictions, a nighttime driving curfew from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m., and other penalties that include a 30-day loss of license when convicted for violating these and other teen driving measures.  Connecticut also has a zero-tolerance law for teens driving under the influence and violations can bring license suspensions and fines.  

The event took place at Connecticut Children’s Medical Center in Hartford with Lt. Governor Wyman; state Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Commissioner Michael R. Bzdyra; state Department of Transportation (DOT) Deputy Commissioner Anna M. Barry; along with representatives from CT Children’s, St. Francis Hospital and Medical Center, and Yale-New Haven Children’s Hospital.

“This time of year is a great time to remind all drivers of their responsibilities -- especially our youngest and most inexperienced drivers along with their parents,” Commissioner Bzdyra said, whose agency sponsors the education program “You’re Not Just Along for the Ride, Safety is EVERYONE’S Responsibility.” “Having a conversation about safety at home, in the vehicle, and among friends is the key to preventing crashes and making our roads safe.”    

Between 2010 and 2014, state DOT statistics show that 875 alcohol-related crashes occurred involving drivers between 16 and 20 years old. These included 34 fatal crashes and 38 fatalities.

The DOT’s Highway Safety Office is again launching the federally-funded “Not My Kid” campaign, a series of television and radio commercials as well as social media messages that underscore the dangers of underage drinking and driving. The campaign will also have a Spanish language component.

“It’s our job as safety advocates to continue to educate our children and their parents about the risks and the life-changing consequences,” said CTDOT Deputy Commissioner Anna M. Barry. “Over the past several years, underage drinking at concert venues has brought rise to an overwhelming number of teens arriving severely intoxicated at local hospital emergency rooms.  This campaign is aimed specifically at exposing the risks, and encouraging parents to be more in tune with the day to day activities of their teens so these countless tragedies can be avoided.”