Latest news with #teenDriving
Yahoo
01-07-2025
- Yahoo
Tennessee ranked 3rd most dangerous state for teenage drivers
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Speeding, distracted driving and alcohol are putting teenagers at risk on the road, with teen vehicle deaths on the rise. Tennessee is listed among the most dangerous states for teenage drivers. Nashville drivers nearly 20% more likely to crash than national average, report shows Schools are out for the summer, which means more people are hitting the road, including teen drivers. 'They just don't have the experience yet, like anyone that is new to anything that you're doing,' Tennessee Highway Patrol Lt. Bill Miller said. Troopers said teenagers' driving inexperience can be dangerous. According to the most recent data from in 2023, Tennessee had 41 deaths for every 100,000 teenage drivers. 'Tennessee is a very unique state,' Miller said. 'It's growing in population, motor vehicle traffic, we still have a lot of rural highways, which pose problems for us when it comes to young drivers.' Investigators said the top causes for teenage driving deaths are alcohol, distracted driving and speeding. 'The slower you go, the safer you are,' Miller said. They also encouraged drivers to buckle up. 'We see a lot of white young white males drive unrestrained in pick-up trucks,' Miller said. 'We don't know why that is, but it's something we're working hard to find out, educate and correct.' Troopers said parents should talk with their teens about safe driving habits to help prevent a heartbreaking knock at the door. 📧 Have breaking news come to you: → 'When they see us at their door, they know you're not there to give them good news,' Miller said. 'That their world has just shattered. That their kid has been killed in a car crash.' ranked Tennessee as the third most dangerous state for teen drivers behind Mississippi and Kentucky. Alaska is considered the safest state. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Motor 1
26-06-2025
- Automotive
- Motor 1
‘EVERY IMPALA DOES THIS:' Mom Gets in 16-Year-Old Son's Chevy. Then It Starts Making This Noise
Every parent dreads the moment their precious baby becomes a licensed driver. Mom of three Ashley Augusta (@theashleyaugusta) recently came face to face with an even bigger fear: their child driving in unsafe conditions. Get the best news, reviews, columns, and more delivered straight to your inbox, daily. back Sign up For more information, read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use . In a TikTok Augusta posted earlier this week, her 16-year-old son is driving a Chevrolet Impala that is making a loud and consistent knocking noise. The text overlay says that Augusta first heard the sound the day before. Her son was unbothered by it, however. 'His response? 'Oh, it will stop in about 30 seconds,'' the overlay reads. Augusta says her son seemed to have 'not a care in the world,' despite the alarming sound. The TikTok has 9.7 million views as of this writing. Is It an Impala Thing? Trending Now Volvo Superfan Explains Why They're 'One Of the Best Cars' Under $5K For Teens. He Might Be Onto Something Teen Driving Dad's Toyota Supra Busted Going 132 MPH In Florida People familiar with Chevy Impalas said that the sound is typical for the model. One who says they formerly owned an Impala joked that they have 'unresolved trauma' from the sound. Some offered advice to fix the sound, which most believe is caused by the climate control system. 'Ummmm I instantly knew that was an Impala because my son's car does it too lol. We figured ours has to do with the buttons with AC,' a comment with more than 100,000 likes reads. 'Every Impala does this. You could get it fixed and it'll do it again in 4 to 6 months. Easy way to prevent it? Turn AC off 45 seconds before you turn off car,' another advised. 'It's the blend door actuator located behind the glove box. The part will run about $45, generally easy to replace yourself just look up a YouTube video! Had to do this twice with my Impala,' another speculated. Over a dozen people also opined that the problem is the blend door actuator. What Is a Blend Door Actuator? A blend door actuator is a small motor that controls your car's climate control system. It's a plastic box small enough to fit in one hand that has gears inside. When you turn the knob to increase or decrease the temperature or fan, the signal goes through the blend door actuator. The device also controls the defrosters and other vents, Wrench explains. Some newer cars have two blend door actuators, one for the front seats and another for the back. While it's safe to drive around with a busted blend door actuator because it doesn't affect how a vehicle drives, the noises and lack of temperature control can make for an uncomfortable and highly irritating ride. It costs between $436 and $581 to replace the blend door actuator on a Chevy Impala, Repair Pal reports. Many commenters said replacing the part is simple enough to do at home, and it'll save you a lot of money. A YouTube instructional video describes this as a "VERY common issue" on Impalas. " It's almost always the recirculation door actuator," creator Daniel Jaeger (@DanielJaegerFilms) adds. How to Fix a Loud Tapping Noise on Chevy Impalas Mom's Real Concern In a follow-up video, Augusta thanks the people who tried to help diagnose the issue. She also says they know what's wrong with the vehicle, but doesn't say exactly what. She says that what concerned her most about the issue was her son's nonchalance about it. It's a good rule of thumb to always find out why your vehicle is making a new sound or driving differently. Depending on what the issue is, not doing so could lead to an even bigger problem or risk causing a car accident. In the case of the Impala in Augusta's TikTok, it could also make driving deeply unpleasant. 'Why would he not care?' Augusta wonders in the post. 'That would drive me crazy, all that ticking. I would lose my ever-loving mind.' Motor1 reached out to Augusta for comment via TikTok direct message and comment. We'll be sure to update this if she responds. More From Motor1 Big Chevy Barn Find Sees Camaro, Impala, Square Body Pickup Collecting Dust Tupac's 1961 Chevy Impala Restored, Turned It Into True Lowrider Modern Chevy Impala Coupe Rendering Needs To Happen In Real Life Chevy Impala Dies Today, 62 Years Since The Original's Launch Share this Story Facebook X LinkedIn Flipboard Reddit WhatsApp E-Mail Got a tip for us? Email: tips@ Join the conversation ( )
Yahoo
21-06-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Teen Drivers Behind the Wheel? Here's How Parents Can Actually Get Through to Them
Handing over the car keys to a teenager can be a proud moment, but let's be honest, it's also a nerve-wracking one. If you've got a new driver at home, chances are you've spent time worrying about speeding, distracted driving, or the group of friends fighting to ride shotgun. But here's the thing: while parental lectures often go in one ear and out the other, new research suggests that conversations about safe driving do have a lasting impact when handled the right way. Ahead of summer, a season known for a spike in teen driving accidents, safety experts are urging parents to open the dialogue. A recent campaign, supported by Ford's Driving Skills for Life program and the Governors Highway Safety Association, offers five smart strategies to help parents connect with their teen drivers and, hopefully, keep them safer on the road. According to the experts, driving safety isn't a one-and-done talk; it's actually a series of ongoing conversations. Start before your teen gets their permit, and continue well into their first year of solo driving. The more normal you make it to talk about driving risks and good habits, the more likely they are to absorb it. Yes, your teen is watching when you speed through that yellow light or check your phone at a red. In fact, studies show that parents' driving behaviors have a major influence on their kids' habits behind the wheel. If you want your teen to drive safely, your own driving should match the message. Creating household rules about curfews, passenger limits, and phone use can go a long way. But be prepared to explain why these rules matter. For example, letting them know that having just one peer in the car doubles their crash risk makes the rule about no friends during the first few months feel less random and more rooted in real data. Teens are more likely to respond to real-life examples than blanket warnings. Instead of just saying 'don't text and drive,' share actual stories of local accidents or near-misses, things that hit closer to home and feel tangible. It's simple, but often overlooked: more time behind the wheel with a calm parent builds skill and confidence. Just because your teen passed their test doesn't mean they're ready for every scenario. Weather changes, highway merges, nighttime driving — these are the areas where extra supervised practice really matters. Safe teen driving isn't just about passing a test or obeying the speed limit, but actually it's about consistent communication and real-world preparation. As the summer driving season heats up, parents have an opportunity (and a responsibility) to shape the kind of driver their teen becomes. And it starts with how you talk, not just how you drive. So the next time you hand over the keys, take a breath and just start the conversation. It just might be the most important one you have all summer.
Yahoo
20-06-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
One Class Could Help Your Teen Avoid a Crash
Every parent of a teen driver knows the feeling—that mix of pride and sheer panic when you hand over the keys for the first time. It's no secret that car crashes are a leading cause of death for young drivers. But here's something hopeful: a national training program, backed by Kia, is helping change that—and the numbers are impressive. Kia has renewed its longtime partnership with B.R.A.K.E.S. (Be Responsible And Keep Everyone Safe), a teen defensive driving initiative that gives young drivers hands-on training for real-world dangers. According to the B.R.A.K.E.S website, Paul C Friday, PhD, of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, conducted a study that found that teens who complete the program are 64% less likely to get into a crash during their first three years of driving. That's a stat worth paying attention to. B.R.A.K.E.S. isn't your typical driver's ed class. It was founded by Doug Herbert, a multi-time Top Fuel drag racing champion, after a tragic accident involving his own family. What started as a personal mission has grown into a nationwide movement, training more than 150,000 teens and parents across the U.S. Kia's 12-year support has been instrumental in helping the program grow. By providing a fleet of vehicles — including everything from the sporty Forte to the family-sized Telluride — Kia is making sure more teens have access to this life-saving experience. With more classes and cities being added regularly, B.R.A.K.E.S. is putting safety first, one young driver at a time. The B.R.A.K.E.S. curriculum is anything but dry. It tackles the real-life scenarios that cause most teen accidents — things like panic braking, distracted driving, and emergency lane changes. And it doesn't just teach teens how to react; it shows them how to think behind the wheel. This isn't about scaring them straight—it's about building skills and confidence in a controlled environment, with trained instructors who know how to make the lessons stick. Teens even take the course with a parent riding shotgun, which helps keep the lessons going long after class is over. With Kia's continued support and the growing reach of B.R.A.K.E.S., more families have access to meaningful training that can truly change lives. As more automakers embrace safety and proactive education, programs like this one could become the rule, not the exception.
Yahoo
20-06-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
How this driving school applies psychology to teach teens (and their parents) about safer driving
From drawing to playing basketball, brushing your teeth or riding a bike, kids learn motor skills by practicing, usually under the careful tutelage of a parent. Tiny adjustments are made as they practice over and over, until the skill becomes second nature. Teen driving instructor Dan Wagner, founder of Teen Driving Solutions, thinks driving can be taught the same way, with help from schools like his, which also involves teaching parents how to coach their kids how to drive. By creating more ways for teen drivers to train cognitively, new drivers are more likely to develop the muscle and mental memory to avoid problems on the road. One element of that is grasping hazard perception, or the ability to detect and respond to developing situations like bicycle riders along the shoulder or small actions that indicate another driver is about to cut in front of them. Those psychological connections make more sense for new drivers when they're taught specific skills versus simply learning the rules. Driver's license rules vary widely from state to state in America. Teens can apply for a learner's permit at 14 in Iowa and may carry other passengers at their parents' discretion, while young drivers in Alaska with a Provisional license may not have any passengers under the age of 21 in the car with them other than siblings. Across the board, however, one thing is sure: Car crashes are a leading cause of death for teenagers. It doesn't have to be that way, says Wagner, who founded Teen Driving Solutions 15 years ago to teach new drivers how to prevent injuries and fatalities for themselves and others. It's way beyond just teaching adolescents the rules of the road; Teen Driving Solutions offers techniques that train them to avoid potential accidents altogether. While the kids are in class or completing drills, parents are picking up tips on how to be a better coach in the car. That requires some psychology and a sprinkling of illustrative stories that drive the point home about what can happen if you don't pay attention. The course itself is a full two days, and at least one parent learns alongside the teen so the messages are embedded in each family. These classes can also teach parents how to be more effective driving instructors for their kids, both in terms of how to keep calm while their child is behind the wheel and how to communicate with them while they're driving 'Often, parents teaching their children to drive take on much of the cognitive load of the task themselves,' Jessica Hafetz Mirman, PhD, a lecturer in applied psychology at the University of Edinburgh, told the American Psychological Association. 'They will instruct teens on when to start a turn and when to brake, for example, and will scan the road for hazards themselves.' Instead, Wagner instructs parents on how to set a good example to better guide their kids to be safe drivers. Most parents don't know how to teach their teens how to drive, Wagner says, and he sees too many of them riding shotgun while looking at their phones when they could be watching out for opportunities to help their young drivers improve. 'Talking to your kids about driving should be as common as we talk to them about sports and their grades,' Wagner says. In the U.S., we have made the acquisition of a driver's license all about passing a written test about the rules of the road and a road test to demonstrate a driver's ability to comply, Wagner says. For a lifetime of driving, that focus is skewed. Considering that some teens can get their permit without an in-person or even an online course requirement (Alaska, Alabama, Nebraska, Missouri, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and West Virginia) should be a little alarming to everyone, since paper driving logs are easily padded or even falsified. New drivers are launched on the roads on a daily basis, which may offer similar disastrous results as releasing the Kraken of ancient Greek mythology. Wagner's mission is to change lives by empowering teens with mental and driving skills that are proven to keep them safe. Participants repeat the course mantra ('Arrive alive every time you drive') several times throughout the weekend. Instructors–all of them with extensive driving experience, and many with tragic stories of motor vehicle fatalities in their own family and friend groups–use techniques that ensure the new drivers remember. Above all, practice is a major factor in safer driving. Teen drivers are often assumed to be reckless and irresponsible right off the bat, and an underdeveloped prefrontal cortex is blamed. Wagner disagrees with that premise, and he has the statistics to back it up: He says 98 percent of graduates from the Teen Driving Solutions program remain incident free (no crashes) for at least five years. 'I contend there is nothing about the way the prefrontal cortex develops that affects [teen driving fatalities],' Wagner says. 'With training and experience, they can become a safer driver.' At the training in the last weekend of May, a teen driver named Leo stood up in front of the crash with his father to explain how he was recently involved in a minor fender bender. He walked through the steps and identified what caused the accident and what he could do differently in the future, in the process cementing a new path for the synapses to connect in his brain. 'Driving requires a lot of critical thinking in the moment,' one young student observed after an emergency braking drill. Technology continues to improve and expand in regards to car safety, and many automakers offer a full suite of driver-assist features like blind-spot warnings, rear cross-traffic alerts, and automatic emergency braking. However, we should be cautious about shifting away from crash prevention training, Warner cautions. The onus, Wagner says, shouldn't stray from the driver just because cars are getting more technologically savvy. Ultimately, drivers still control the car, not the computers. 'If there is one single thought or principle that was conveyed in this class, I hope it's the fact that the majority of today's teen crashes are set in motion before these drivers ever open the door of that automobile and climb behind the wheel,' Wagner tells the students in his most recent course. 'All of us as drivers need to understand that the most critical element in preventing crashes is the mindset we possess around our approach to driving.' At the 'graduate session' at the end of two days, the teens demonstrate their new skills on a wet skid pad that stands in for slippery road situations. As he exited the training vehicle, one of the students removed his helmet as he considered what he'd just learned. 'It taught me a very different perspective on driving and really, about how dangerous it can be if you're not careful,' he said. 'It's about handling yourself better than others on the road.'
