The Riverside County Sheriff's Office wants Murrieta parents to sit down with their teen drivers before handing over the keys.

National Teen Driver Safety Week runs Sunday, Oct. 18, through Saturday, Oct. 24. The sheriff's office is pressing parents and guardians to have direct conversations about speeding, texting behind the wheel, seat belt use and driving under the influence.

The stakes are stark. Car crashes are a leading cause of death for U.S. teens ages 15 to 18, according to the sheriff's office advisory. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported 2,320 people killed in crashes involving a teen driver nationwide in 2024. That same year, 496 people were killed in California crashes involving drivers aged 20 or younger.

"Parents and guardians who talk about distractions, speeding and impairment give teens the tools to navigate real-world risks …" Deputy Kevin Seguin said in the advisory.

The California Office of Traffic Safety offered several tips for families:

  • Learn about California's provisional licensing law and Graduated Driver Licensing laws, which restrict passengers and nighttime driving during a teen's first year with a license.
  • Lead by example every time you drive.
  • Establish rules that match the law: no phone use while driving, no distractions from passengers, follow posted speed limits and always buckle up.
  • Create a parent-teen driving contract outlining specific guidelines.
  • Encourage teens to speak up as passengers if a driver is speeding, distracted or unbuckled.

The California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) also offers free, mobile-friendly resources including a Quick Reference Driver's Handbook and a Teen Driver Roadmap video guide. A free web-based driving simulation called The Road Ahead lets teens and parents practice safe decisions in realistic scenarios.

Funding for the program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through NHTSA.

The sheriff's office serves Murrieta through its Southwest Station in Temecula. Residents can reach the non-emergency line at 800-950-2444.