North Austin News

The City of Austin has partnered with the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to encourage parents to discuss safe driving habits with their teenage drivers. This initiative coincides with National Teen Driver Safety Week, which runs from October 20-26.

Motor vehicle crashes remain a leading cause of death for teenagers aged 15-18 in the United States, according to the NHTSA. In Texas alone, data from the Texas Department of Transportation indicates that in 2023, 460 drivers involved in fatal crashes were under the age of 20. Locally in Austin, statistics from Austin Vision Zero reveal that 23.1% of those killed or seriously injured in traffic incidents last year were under the age of 25.

“National Teen Driver Safety Week is an excellent time for parents and guardians to talk with their teens about driving safely,” said Catherine Cousar, Public Information Specialist for the Austin Municipal Court. “Even if you’ve talked to your teen before, it is good to remind them of safe driving practices, including always wearing a seatbelt, obeying the speed limit, not driving with distractions, and never getting behind the wheel while impaired by alcohol or drugs.”

The Austin Municipal Court invites residents to attend an event organized by the Austin Independent School District and Austin Police Department on Sunday, October 20 at Nelson Field from 4 pm – 7 pm. The court will provide information on teen driving safety and answer questions regarding obtaining a first driver's license.

For additional resources on teenager licenses, individuals can visit the Texas Department of Public Safety website or contact the Austin Municipal Court Youth Services office at 512-974-4659.

More details about National Teen Driver Safety can be found at www.nhtsa.gov/road-safety/teen-driving.