BUFFALO, N.Y., January 18, 2012 — Driving comes with a wealth of dangers no matter who is behind the wheel, but teenagers are the group most at risk while on the road. According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, crashes are the leading cause of death for teenagers in the United States, killing nearly 6,000 annually and ending more teen lives than cancer, suicide and homicide combined. That’s why AAA is holding free “Start Smart” safe driving seminars for parents and their teen drivers.

“AAA understands how crucial parental involvement can be to the learning-to-drive process,” said Mike Formanowicz, Driver Training Manager for AAA Western and Central New York. “Equipping parents with the insight, information and tools needed during this often complex and demanding process will help teach teens skills that are designed to last a lifetime.”

To help inform parents and teens on driving safety and the licensing guidelines, AAA is holding a series of free “Start Smart” Teen Driving Seminars throughout February. All seminars begin at 6:30 p.m. and reservations are required.

• Thursday, February 9
  AAA Amherst Travel and Insurance Center
• Wednesday, February 15
  AAA Liverpool Administration Center, 7485 Henry Clay Boulevard
• Thursday, February 16
  AAA Penfield Travel and Insurance Center
• Monday, February 27
  AAA Orchard Park Travel and Insurance Center

AAA experts will be on hand to guide parents and teens through the entire licensing process, including the GDL regulations; helping them to better understand DMV paperwork and additional requirements for road testing. Driver training and education, driver distractions, rules of the road, and insurance requirements for new teen drivers will also be addressed. To register, please call (800) 836-CLUB (2582) or visit www.AAAdriverprograms.com.

Teenage drivers aged 16 and 17 completing AAA’s driver education program, “Licensed to Learn,” have a 62% lower accident rate in New York State. Studies also show that teenagers who obey traffic rules and regulations, follow Graduated Driver Licensing regulations, and have actively involved parents are much less likely to crash.

As Upstate New York’s largest member services organization, AAA provides nearly 880,000 members with travel, insurance, financial and automotive related services. Since its founding in 1900, AAA has been a leading advocate for the safety and security of all travelers. Visit AAA at www.AAA.com.

AAA news releases are available in the AAA Newsroom at www.AAA.com/Media.

Stay connected with AAA Western & Central New York on the web at wcny.AAA.com.