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###### **For Immediate Release: October 23, 2025** **Office of The Attorney General** – Matthew J. Platkin, _Attorney General_ **Division of Highway Traffic Safety ** – Michael J. Rizol Jr., _Director_ ###### **For Further Information:** **Media Inquiries-** Matthew Reilly [email protected] **TRENTON –** Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin and the Division of Highway Traffic Safety today announced that New Jersey is taking part in National Teen Driver Safety Week, October 19-25, 2025. While it is important to discuss safe driving habits with teens every day, National Teen Driver Safety Week serves as an opportunity for parents, guardians, and other adult role models to have intentional conversations with young drivers about these habits. Particularly, teen drivers need to know the rules of the road before parents hand over the keys. Ultimately, it’s parents who are in control. “New teen drivers are still gaining experience every time they get behind the wheel,” **said Attorney General Platkin**. “It’s critical for parents especially to model safe driving behaviors themselves and have discussions with their teens about making safe choices behind the wheel.” “Motor vehicle crashes continue to be a leading cause of death for young people, and their time behind the wheel is particularly dangerous,” said**Michael J. Rizol Jr., Director of the Division of Highway Traffic Safety**. “Parents and other adults play a critical role in teaching teen drivers safe driving habits.” In 2023, 2,611 people in the United States lost their lives in traffic crashes involving teen drivers. Compared to other states, New Jersey, with its Graduated Driver’s License law, has one of the lowest rates of teen driver fatalities. However, over the past decade, 650 people have died in traffic crashes involving teen drivers across New Jersey, including 287 teen drivers and 67 teen passengers riding with them. National Teen Driver Safety Week is coordinated with the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). NHTSA offers parents, guardians and other adult drivers helpful tips and a framework for having discussions with teen drivers about risky driving behaviors that can lead to fatal consequences. Parents especially play a critical role in helping teen drivers make smart choices to stay safe on the road. Teens and parents should also be familiar with the rules and restrictions outlined in New Jersey’s graduated driver’s license. Surveys show that teens whose parents set firm rules for driving typically engage in less risky driving behaviors and are involved in fewer crashes. The NHTSA’s tips include discussions on how to influence positive behaviors and how to approach dangerous driving behaviors such as alcohol and other drug use, lack of seat belt use, distracted driving, speeding, or driving with passengers. The New Jersey Division of Highway Traffic Safety works to prevent motor vehicle crashes, reduce fatalities and injuries, and improve safety on all of New Jersey’s roadways. The Division achieves this by funding and coordinating education, enforcement, engineering, and emergency response initiatives in partnership with local, county, state, and nonprofit agencies.