CARMEL- The Putnam County Youth Bureau and the Dutchess County Division of Youth Services have collaborated on the “Parents as Driving Partners” initiative, aimed to foster safer driving habits and creating safe drivers by encouraging active involvement and shared responsibility between teens and their parents during the early stages of driving.
Through the new program, teenagers who receive their learner’s permit at their local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) office in Dutchess or Putnam will also receive a “Parents as Driving Partners” booklet. In addition to providing teens and their parents with driving tips and resources to become safe motorists, the booklet includes a Parent/Teen Driving Agreement, a mutual pledge to commit to working together to promote safe driving practices, abide by traffic rules, and avoid distractions while on the road.
The pact urges parents to support their child during their driving, teach proper techniques and model safe driving behaviors for them. The agreement also asks teens to obey safety rules and regulations, never drive while impaired, drive only with parental permission and never drive while using a cell phone.
Putnam County Executive Kevin Byrne said, “We are thrilled to collaborate with Dutchess County on the ‘Parents as Driving Partners’ initiative. By promoting active engagement and shared accountability between teenagers and their parents, we can cultivate an environment that promotes safer roads, more responsible drivers. Any measures we can take to help prevent motor vehicle accidents should be implemented.”
Dutchess County Clerk Brad Kendall said, “Driving a motor vehicle is a great undertaking – one which, if not handled responsibly, can have grave impacts on drivers, their passengers and those with whom they share the road. Dutchess and Putnam counties encourage teen drivers and their parents to take the ‘Parents as Driving Partners’ pledge and make developing safe…
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