Driving Safety

Over 40,000 deaths occur each year as a result of traffic crashes in the U.S.

Driving a car is something many Americans do every day. It’s also one of the leading causes of death in the U.S. Some of the primary causes of death in these traffic crashes include unbelted passengers, excessive speed, distractions, impairments and aggressive driving.

Seatbelts save lives. See our seatbelt safety page for more on passenger safety.

Teen Driving Safety

Motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of death for U.S. teens. Building safe habits early sets new drivers up for a lifetime of safe driving.

Tips for parents

• Set the example. Buckle up, put your phone away and don’t speed when your teen is in the car.
• Practice often. Log as much supervised time as you can, and vary routes, times of day and weather. Track it with our Teen Driving Record.
• Limit passengers for at least six months. Each teen passenger raises crash risk. Start with none, then add one at a time.
• Limit night driving for at least six months. Start with no driving after 10 p.m. and extend gradually.
• Teach scanning. Remind your teen to watch several cars ahead and to the sides for brake lights, signals, pedestrians and emergency vehicles.
• Share the family car at first. It’s easier to set conditions when you control the keys.
• Put it in writing. Use our Parent/Teen Driving Contract to agree on rules and consequences before handing over the keys.

Driver education: Midwest Training Center | Springfield Driving School

How To Get Your License (Ages 15-21)

Instruction Permit

The first step for drivers in Missouri is the instruction permit. With eligibility beginning at age 15, this permit allows young drivers to learn to drive with the supervision of a licensed adult. See the Missouri Driver Handbook for specific restrictions.

Intermediate Driver License

16-year-olds are eligible to test for an intermediate license, assuming they have held a permit for at least six months and completed at least 40 hours of driving.

The intermediate license also has its own restrictions including maximum number of passengers and curfews.

See the Missouri Driver Handbook for specific restrictions.

Graduated Driver License

Once an intermediate driver is 18 years old and is without alcohol- or traffic-related offenses, they qualify for the graduated driver license, until age 21. The graduated driver license is the basic “under 21” driver license or operator license. To receive this, permit and intermediate requirements would need to be completed first.

Operation of motorcycles, commercial vehicles and so on would require additional licensing.

See the Missouri Driver Handbook for specific details and restrictions.

Distracted Driving

Sometimes something as simple as a text message or a fallen French fry is all it takes to pull your attention off the road. The average distraction takes a driver’s eyes off the road for about four seconds. At 60 mph, that covers more than the length of a football field.

A distraction is anything that takes your hands off the wheel, your eyes off the road or your mind off driving. To cut down on distractions:

• Silence your phone and keep it out of reach.
• Set your navigation and music before you pull away.
• Let your passenger handle texts, music and directions.
• Skip eating while you drive.
• Plan ahead so you’re not rushed or tempted to multitask.
• Remember that passengers can be distracting too. Keeping everyone safe comes first.

Impaired Driving

Alcohol, impairing substances and even fatigue can cause a serious problem behind the wheel. Anything that will cause slower reaction times and impair judgment behind the wheel is putting the driver and everyone around them at a very high risk of injury and fatality.

Whether you are impaired or even just really sleepy, play it safe and don’t drive.

Seat Belt Safety

Seat belts are one of the most effective ways to prevent death and serious injury in a crash. Without one, you’re 30 times more likely to be thrown from the vehicle.

• Buckle up on every trip. It’s the law.
• Make sure everyone in the vehicle is buckled before you pull away.
• Wear your belt snug across your hips and shoulder. Never tuck the shoulder belt under your arm or behind your back, which can cause serious injury.
• Kids under 13 should ride in the back seat. Airbags can cause fatal injuries to young children.
• Set the example. When you buckle up, others will too.

Watch this video compilation of car crashes to see why it matters. For kids, visit our Car Seat Safety page.

Pedestrian Safety

Whether you’re crossing the street, walking through a parking lot or playing in the driveway, stay alert around traffic:

• Heads up, phones down when you’re near traffic.
• Look both ways before crossing, and keep scanning until you’re safely away from traffic.
• Use crosswalks whenever possible.
• Walk on the sidewalk. If there isn’t one, walk on the shoulder facing traffic.
• Wear bright or reflective clothing, and avoid walking near traffic in low light when you can.
• Make eye contact with drivers before crossing in front of a slow or stopped car, and watch for other vehicles moving around it.
• Watch for cars backing out of driveways and parking spaces.

For more tips and programs, visit our pedestrian safety partners at SGF Yields.