PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) — National Teen Driver Safety Week is held yearly the week of Oct. 20. Between minimal experience behind the wheel, today’s teens can also find themselves in a position to be struggling with peer pressure, distracting technology and potentially substance use while driving. 

AAA Tidewater told 10 On Your Side these growing issues can be overwhelming to new drivers, leading to higher crash numbers. 

According to the Virginia DMV, in 2023 there were 35,674 crashes and 87 fatalities that involved a teenage driver statewide. National Teen Driver Safety Week is meant to bring awareness to the numbers and bring conversations to the dinner table about what safe driving looks like.

Cars with newer technology can help your teen if used properly. AAA Tidewater recommended sitting down with your teen to talk about what some features in the car may do and if any distractions need to be limited or enabled before they hit the road.

“Really just sitting down, learning together, figuring out together how these things work on a whatever vehicle that this new driver is driving,” said Ryan Adcock with AAA Tidewater.

More technology can lead to more distractions to an already inexperienced driver. Adcock understands that with newer technology, teens may also have more access to better safety features, but it’s important to have the conversation with teens on how to use it.

“Really just finding whatever middle ground is best for their family and best for their teen,” Adcock explained.