OHS Highlights Teen Driver Safety During National Teen Driver Safety Week

DOVER, Del. (Oct. 19, 2026) - The Delaware Office of Highway Safety (OHS) is highlighting the importance of safe driving habits during National Teen Driver Safety Week, observed Oct. 18-24. The week serves as an opportunity to remind teen drivers, parents, caregivers, and educators that the choices young drivers make behind the wheel can have lasting consequences.

According to OHS data, 26 teens ages 15-19 were killed in crashes on Delaware roadways from 2021 through 2025. These tragedies underscore the importance of continued education, guidance, and conversations about making responsible decisions behind the wheel.

To support these efforts, OHS has released a new installment of its Local Lowdown video series featuring M/Cpl. Smith of the Dover Police Department, who serves as a School Resource Officer (SRO) and discusses teen drivers and the importance of staying safe on Delaware roadways. The video offers an opportunity for teens and families to hear practical safety reminders from a law enforcement perspective.

Parents and caregivers play an important role in helping teens build safe driving habits. OHS encourages families to talk regularly about the dangers of speeding, distracted driving, impaired driving, and riding with unsafe drivers. Setting clear expectations and modeling responsible driving behaviors can help teens make safer choices as they gain experience on the road.

OHS also encourages parents, caregivers, and teens to explore Delaware's Graduated Driver Licensing Parent Orientation Program (GDL Pop), an interactive resource designed to help families understand GDL requirements and the responsibilities that come with earning a driver's license. To learn more, visit the GDL Pop interactive resource.

The new Local Lowdown video is available here: Keeping kids safe is what matters most.

Families and teen drivers can visit arrivealivede.com/protect-teen-drivers/ for additional traffic safety information and resources.

About the Delaware Office of Highway Safety
The Office of Highway Safety (OHS) is committed to improving the safety of Delaware's motoring public by focusing on behavioral traffic safety issues, such as impaired driving, seat belt use, speeding, child passenger safety, pedestrian and bicycle safety, motorcycle safety, and teen driving issues. FAQs can be found at ArriveAliveDE.com. Follow OHS on the Delaware Office of Highway Safety website, Facebook, X (Twitter), and Instagram.

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Media Contact:

Delaware Office of Highway Safety

Caitlin Martin

[email protected]

302-744-2746