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Memorial Day’s Jamboree Crash – Drugs or Alcohol Not a Factor

An update on Memorial Day’s “Jamboree Crash”:

The Orange County Coroner revealed that drugs and alcohol were NOT a factor in the Memorial Day car crash that killed 5 Irvine teenagers on Jamboree in Newport Beach. Police maintain high speed was a major factor, however.

As we continue our commitment to educate teenagers and their families – as well as all Orange County drivers – about driving tips and techniques that will keep all Orange County drivers safe on the roads, we feel obligated to report about this awful tragedy that took 5 precious lives very prematurely. If we can learn something from this, we can keep more OC teenagers safe and prevent future tragedies like this from happening.

We are sure everyone will agree that this should not have happened and these kids should still be alive.

That’s the thing about teenage driving: Car accidents are the number one killer of American teenagers, yet they are almost ALWAYS avoidable.

Here are some of the causes of these unnecessary teenage automobile accidents:

  • inexperience
  • overconfidence
  • nighttime driving
  • driving while sleepy
  • distractions from passengers
  • distractions from music or iPods
  • texting
  • talking on (or otherwise manipulating) the cell phone
  • risky maneuvers
  • excessive speed
  • driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol

How can teenage car accidents be avoided?

1. Teenagers, have higher expectations of yourself!

Maybe you’ve read our previous blogs where we discuss the fact that teenagers lack some cognitive ability to reasonably consider the consequences of their actions and are more likely to take risks and basically make stupid decisions behind the wheel. You’ve likely responded to that statement in one of two ways:

1) You’re offended by it and wish people had higher opinions of teenagers, or

2) You figure since no one expects much of you, you can be mediocre and that’s okay.

Well, guess what: you’re not off the hook entirely – at least not as far as we’re concerned. We know the truth: You CAN learn to be a safe and skilled driver. You CAN learn to use common sense and responsibility, and pledge to yourself and your friends that you will not drive tired or under the influence of drugs or alcohol; you will not worry about who is texting you while you’re driving because IT CAN WAIT; you will not be distracted by your music or passengers; you will not drive over the speed limit; and so on.

We have high expectations of the teenagers we meet, because we have seen many of you become safe, skilled drivers. We believe in you – so believe in yourself! Don’t become another statistic – let’s beat this together! No more of your friends need to die or be critically injured because of a stupid behind the wheel decision.

The next 3 guidelines are directed at parents.

2. Parents, be involved in your kid’s driver education.

How can you know in what areas your kid needs improvement if you’re not involved in their driving instruction? Parents, you are a key player in your kid’s driver education. We will certainly do our part, but we need your help. You know your kids better than anyone. What are their strengths? Weaknesses? These will likely show up behind the wheel. So be there, be involved, and have high expectations for them.

3. Set boundaries for your teenage driver.

We’re talking about setting them up for success, not failure. Just because they pass the DMV exam and get their license doesn’t mean they should get carte blanche authority when it comes to driving. (Newsflash: getting a license does not make someone a skilled driver!) Ultimately, you are the parent and they are the child. Every loving parent knows what’s best for their child.

Sometimes we have to do the hard thing and the unpopular thing to keep our kids safe. So set boundaries and restrictions on your kid until you’re more confident – not only in their driving abilities, but also their overall common sense and responsibility. Remember: Driving is a privilege, not a right!

4. Model good driving behavior.

All parents know this rule applies from toddlerhood on. We must model the person we want our kids to become. Politeness, thankfulness, honesty, forgiveness, sharing – we don’t get it right 100% of the time, but when it comes to teenagers, if you don’t practice what you preach, your kids will NOT take you seriously and you have lost authority and credibility with them.

You can’t simply verbalize the rules (follow the speed limit, don’t text and drive, don’t get distracted, etc.) if you’re guilty of those very things yourself. Be transparent with your kids, admit when you’ve made a mistake, and pledge to your kids that you’ll start modeling the behavior you want them to emulate.

Let’s work together to make sure our Orange County teenagers are safe behind the wheel. Scare tactics don’t work – we have to get involved in their lives, set high expectations and reasonable boundaries, and model good behavior.

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Step 1. Complete our online driver’s education course

Register for our online driver education course. After you complete the required chapters and tests, we will then send you the DMV Certificate of Completion (DL387) that you can take to the DMV when you are ready to take the written test for your learner’s permit.

Our online driver ed course is available to all California residents. You can take our course at your own pace, in your own home in your own time.

Step 2. Study for the DMV written test

You will need to study for the DMV written permit test by reading through the DMV California Driver Handbook. It will benefit you if you take your time and study the handbook so you are comfortable with the information that will be on the test.

Take your time, you don’t want to have to go back to retake the test.

Step 3. Make an appointment at the DMV to take the written exam

It is important that you call ahead of time and schedule an appointment at the local DMV so you can go in and take the written test.

The lines at the DMV are usually very long so you don’t want to waste your time waiting in line. Make sure that you are well prepared for your appointment.

Most DMV’s are open Mondays through Fridays until 5 pm; Some are also open on Saturdays for a few hours so call ahead of time and see which date and times are best for you.

Step 4. Bring necessary documents to the DMV office

  • Complete the application form DL 44, remember the DMV always requires An original to be submitted. Copies will not be accepted in any form, so make sure you have exactly what you need. You can get this form from your local DMV.
  • Have your parents or guardians sign the application form DL 44.
  • Give your right thumbprint.
  • Have your picture taken.
  • Provide your social security #
  • Verify your birth date and legal residence
  • Submit the proper form(s) for Driver Education and/or Driver Training (see below for details)
  • Pay the $28.00 application fee (This fee entitles you to three exams of any type within the 12-month period and pays for both the instruction permit and the driver license. If all requirements are not met within the 12-month period, the application becomes void and all steps must be completed again.)
  • Pass a vision exam, if you need glasses, wear them.
  • Pass a written test, there are 46 questions on the test.
  • You need a passing score of at least 39 correct answers.
  • You have three chances to pass the test. If you fail, you must wait 7 days before taking it again.

 

Driver Education and Driver Training Form Requirements:

If you are 15  years of age, you will need to bring with you:

  • Form DL 356 or OL 237 (Completion of Driver Education) with form DL 391 (Driver Training Enrollment ) if your school has a contract with a driving school.

OR

  • Form DL 356 or forms OL 237 and OL 238 (Completion of both Driver Education and Driver Training)

OR

  • Submit form DL 391 or OL 239 (Simultaneous Enrollment in Driver Education and Driver Training)

 

If you are over 15 but under 18 years of age, you will need to submit:

  • Form DL 356 or OL 237 (Completion of Driver Education)

OR

  • Form DL 391 or OL 239 (Simultaneous Enrollment in Driver Education and Driver Training)

 

If you are over 17  but under 18 years of age, you may get your permit without the driver education and driver training certificates however, you will not be able to take the driving test until you turn 18.

Once you pass your written test, you will be issued a provisional permit. You can be issued a permit at age 15, but you cannot take the driving test or be issued a driver’s license until you are 16 years of age.

A parent, guardian, spouse, or adult 25 years of age or older, who has a valid California driver’s license, must be with you when you drive. They must sit in a position that allows them to take control of the vehicle, if necessary. It is illegal for you to drive alone at any time.

Before being eligible to take the driving test you must:

  • Be 16 years old
  • Have had your permit for a minimum of six months
  • Have completed driver education
  • Have completed 6 hours of professional driver training
  • Have completed 50 hours of practice with an adult 25 years or older. The adult must have a valid California driver’s license and certify to the 50 hours of practice. At least 10 of the 50 hours must have been done at night.

 

If driver education and driver training were taken in a state other than California, DMV will accept either a Secondary Schools Other Than California Schools form DL 33 completed by the out-of-state school or a letter on the out-of-state school’s stationery signed by a school official stating that the courses are equivalent to California’s requirements. Instructional permits issued by another state are not acceptable

Step 5. Complete behind the wheel training

When you pass the written exam:

  • You are required to take your first 2 hours of behind the wheel training with a professional driving instructor.
  •  You may start behind the wheel training with your parent/guardian or other licensed drivers who are 25 years of age or older.
  •  You must further complete four (4) more hours of driving school instruction.
  • Complete fifty (50) additional hours of behind the wheel training with a parent/guardian or any other adult who is 25 years old or older. The adult must have a valid California driver license and certify that you’ve had the 50 hours of practice. It is required that 10 of the 50 hours of training is done in the evening.

Step 6. Take the driving test at the DMV

To be eligible to take your driving test you must:

  • Be 16 years old
  • Have had your permit for a minimum of six months
  • Have completed a driver education course
  • Have completed 6 hours of professional driver training
  • Have completed 50 hours of practice with an adult who is 25 years or older. The adult must have a valid California driver license and certify to the 50 hours of practice. At least 10 of the 50 hours must have been done at night.
  • You will also need to show registration and proof of insurance for the vehicle you will be taking your drive test in.
  •  If you fail your drive test, you must wait two weeks before you can take the test again. You have three chances to pass.
    • Driving (behind-the-wheel) retest fee is $6.00.
    • Motorcycle driving (behind-the-wheel) retest fee $6.00.

 

After you pass your drive test you will be issued an interim license valid for 60 days until you receive your new photo license in the mail. Double-check your address before you leave DMV and tell the DMV representative if you have moved or if your address is incorrect.

If you have not received your license after 60 days, call (916) 657-7790 and they can check on the status for you. Have your interim license with you to provide information when requested.

Step 7. Receive provisional license upon passing the driving test

After you pass the Driving Test, you will be issued a provisional license. Your license will have the following restrictions for the next year: During the first 12 months, you are licensed to drive you must be accompanied by a driver 25 years of age or older if you drive between the hours of 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. or if you have passengers under the age of 20 in the car at any time.

Persons under 18 may not be employed to drive a motor vehicle. When you become 18, the provisional part of your license ends. You may continue to drive as an adult using your photo license, which will expire on your 5th birthday after the date you applied.