North Dakota Department of Transportation | ND Teen Drivers | About Us

About Us

NDTeenDrivers/NDDOT

The North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT) launched NDTeenDrivers.com in an effort to promote safe driving practices among teens while reducing the number of fatalities on North Dakota’s roadways. Currently, the leading cause of death among North Dakota teens are car crashes.

NDTeenDrivers.com speaks to both teens and parents. For teens there are many educational and fun tools such as videos, quizzes, and driving tips to prepare them for their permit exam or remind them about the rules of the road. This website also features real stories from teens across North Dakota that share the importance of buckling up or not being distracted while driving.

For parents there is a guide to help you educate your teen driver, as well as other important information to discuss with your teen during this exciting time for them. We strongly encourage you to read through this website, and also the Parents LEAD website. You are not alone in your concerns about having a teen driver. It's good to know about the rules other parents are setting for their teen driver. We cannot stress enough how important your influence is in the decisions your teen makes when driving.

Each year the NDDOT partners with sponsors to have a statewide NDTeenDrivers Traffic Safety Contest. The contests are a great way for teens to get creative by making traffic safety videos and billboards. These contests also educate the teens’ school and community about traffic safety. Participation has been great each year and the NDDOT and sponsors always look forward to the teen contest entries.

Within the NDDOT, the Traffic Safety Office administers programs aimed at reducing deaths, serious injuries, and economic losses associated with motor vehicle crashes in the state. The Traffic Safety Office supports targeted behavioral modification programs to advance the safety and welfare of the traveling public. Creating this teen driving website is a one-stop-shop that provides useful information to teen drivers and parents to practice safe driving.

North Dakota Department of Transportation

Read More Fast Facts

FAST FACTS

Highway hypnosis can occur when you drive on a highway for an extended period of time, leaving you in a dulled, drowsy, trance-like state. The danger is you are unable to react as quickly as you should. Stop the car in a safe place and take a break from the road.

Hydroplaning is losing traction when you slide on a film of water. This can result in a loss of control and steering ability because your tires lose contact with the pavement. Slow down in these weather conditions, and make sure your tires are inflated properly.

Most skids are the result of driving too fast for the road conditions. The key to safe vehicle operation is slower speeds. NDDOT Rules of the Road

The Implied Consent Law states that by driving a vehicle, you have agreed to submit to chemical tests of your breath, blood, or urine to determine alcohol or drug content is asked to do so by a law enforcement officer. NDDOT Rules of the Road

For front-seat passengers, lap and shoulder belts reduce the chance of serious injury by as much as 50 percent.

Young drivers are about 1.5 times more likely to have a fatal crash after having one or two drinks and about three times more likely after three drinks.

Marijuana affects alertness, concentration, coordination and reaction time, all skills required for safe driving. These effects can last up to 24 hours after smoking marijuana.

When you close your eyes for just one second at 60 mph, you will travel 88 feet.

On curvy roads, DON'T HUG THE CENTERLINE. Drive on the right side of your lane, and you'll miss the guy that's a little bit wide coming around a blind curve at you and avoid a head-on collision.

Click it quick! No more excuses. Just a quick click can save your life. Even if you're just driving around the block. No one ever got in the car thinking, "This is the day I'm going to be in a crash." NDDOT

Most deer crashes happen between 7 a.m. and 8 a.m., and again in the evening from 6 p.m. - 10 p.m. Scan the ditches while you are driving and slow down if you notice an animal's eyes in your line of vision. NDDOT Crash Summary

Stay well back from snowplows. Sometimes they have to stop and back up. Plow drivers can't see directly behind themselves, and plows also throw sanding material. Remember, don't crowd the plow. NDDOT Rules of the Road