Uniontown, PA – Today, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) in partnership with the Highway Safety Network, AAA East Central, Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, PA Traffic Injury Prevention Project (TIPP), State Farm, Pennsylvania State Police, Washington County Drug & Alcohol, and California High School SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions) hosted a Teen Driver Safety Expo at California High School in Washington County.
Prior to the event, partners conducted a mock crash demonstration to highlight the serious consequences of unsafe driving behaviors. The simulation aimed to educate students on the real-life impact of distracted and impaired driving.
“Engaging students through realistic and interactive education is a powerful way to reinforce safe driving habits," said PennDOT Safety Press Officer Emily Swecker. “Our goal is to empower teens with the knowledge and tools they need to make smart choices behind the wheel.”
Vehicle crashes remain one of the leading causes of death among teen drivers. According to PennDOT data, in 2024 there were 296 crashes involving young drivers (ages 20 and younger) in Washington County, resulting in four fatalities. This marks an increase from 268 crashes and two fatalities reported in 2023.
PennDOT urges all teen drivers to stay safe by following these tips:
Always wear your seat belt.
Don’t drink and drive. Underage drinking is illegal and dangerous.
Obey the speed limit. Speeding reduces your ability to react quickly.
Avoid using your cell phone while driving. Texting while driving is illegal.
Use your turn signals to communicate your intentions to other drivers.
Stay focused. Keep your eyes on the road and be aware of your surroundings.
Don’t eat or drink while driving. These are distracting behaviors.
Set your radio and climate controls before driving or ask a passenger to help.
Plan your route in advance.
Allow extra time to avoid the pressure of rushing.
For more information on teen driver safety, visit www.PennDOT.pa.gov/Safety.
Motorists can check conditions on major roadways by visiting www.511PA.com. 511PA, which is free and available 24 hours a day, provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information and access to more than 1,000 traffic cameras. 511PA is also available through a smartphone application for iPhone and Android devices, by calling 5-1-1, or by following regional X alerts.
Subscribe to PennDOT news and traffic alerts in Fayette, Greene, Washington, and Westmoreland counties at www.penndot.pa.gov/district12.
Information about infrastructure in District 12, including completed work and significant projects, is available at www.penndot.pa.gov/D12Results. Find PennDOT’s planned and active construction projects at www.projects.penndot.gov.
Follow PennDOT on X and like the department on Facebook and Instagram.
MEDIA CONTACT: Emily Swecker, eswecker@pa.gov or 724-425-3018
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