AAA, state launch new teen driving site
A new teen driving website is expected to help both young drivers and their parents understand the law and learn more about the process of getting a license.
Aurora-based AAA Chicago and the Illinois secretary of state's office this week launched IllinoisTeenDriving.com, an interactive site that starts at the pre-permit stage and follows through to licensing.
“We consider this project to be ever changing as new tools, resources and information becomes available that may be pertinent to parents and teen drivers, said AAA spokeswoman Beth Mosher.
The site explains the graduated driver licensing system, how to select a driving school, and how to choose the right vehicle for the young driver. It also includes a section on risks associated with teen drivers.
Young drivers can turn to the site for interactive quizzes to help prepare for the driving exam, learn the costs of owning a car and learn about state laws and fines.
To help design the site, AAA and the state conducted focus groups with teens and separate focus groups of parents to find out how they find out about the licensing process.
“We learned that parents found out from their teens or their neighbors or friends and teens usually found out from their friends, Mosher said.
Both groups said they wanted one trusted source to get their information, she said.
“We also found out that parents were struggling with trying to understand the graduated system and they wanted to learn more about state laws. They especially wanted to know more if their kid gets a ticket or if they get a DUI, Mosher said.
The site likely will update regularly with different features, and it could address drivers with disabilities and those with different languages in the future, she said.
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