VENTURA, Calif. — The Ventura Police Department used National Teen Driver Safety Week to put five driving reminders in front of new drivers, and a separate message in front of the adults who ride with them, officials reported.
The message was posted by the Ventura Police Department on October 20, 2026, during the national safety week, which runs October 18 to 24, 2026.
The department addressed its reminders to teen drivers, and to the parents and guardians who supervise their practice time.
Phones Away, Belts Buckled, and Room to Stop
The department listed five habits for new drivers:
Phones: Put the phone away while driving.
Seat belts: Buckle up on every trip.
Speed: Slow down and leave plenty of space.
Impairment: Never drive under the influence.
Passengers: Speak up when a driver is distracted or taking risks.
According to the department, the week is a time to talk about the habits that keep everyone on the road safe, and its post links readers to additional teen driving information online.
Get help from someone local. Text HELP to (805) 719-7630 and we'll set up a time to talk that works for you.
Leading Cause, Federal Counts, and the Stakes for Teens
Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of preventable death for teenagers in the United States, according to the National Road Safety Foundation, citing the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
NHTSA reported that 2,162 teen drivers died in traffic crashes in 2024, and an estimated 184,129 teens were injured, according to the foundation.
Inexperience is a major factor in teen crashes, the foundation said, because teen drivers are more likely than older drivers to underestimate dangerous situations or fail to recognize them.
"Parents need to be proactive and begin a conversation about safe driving," said Michelle Anderson, director of operations at the National Road Safety Foundation.
Conversations, Example Setting, and Practice Time
For parents and guardians, the department's message was to keep the conversation going, lead by example, and give new drivers plenty of practice.
The department said good driving habits start early, and that families can help teens build them for life.
National Teen Driver Safety Week runs through October 24, 2026. The department's post links readers to the City of Ventura blog post, "National Teen Driver Safety Week is October 18-24," at cityofventura.ca.gov.
Sources
Ventura Police Department, Official Facebook Post (October 20, 2026) City of Ventura, Official Blog Post, "National Teen Driver Safety Week is October 18-24" (cityofventura.ca.gov) National Road Safety Foundation, National Teen Driver Safety Week Release (October 15, 2026), citing NHTSA