CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia’s governor and the leader of the state Division of Motor Vehicles are trying to encourage more younger people to get their driver’s license.
Gov. Jim Justice and DMV Commissioner Everett Frazier have introduced a new program to do just that.
The Parent’s Supervised Driving Program is a new initiative that assist parents or guardians to teach their teens how to drive and ultimately obtain their license.
The program offers expert-guided curriculum and an easy-to-follow plan for parents or whoever is teaching the teen driver to learn from and apply to the drivers.
“I remember counting down the days to get my permit and then my license,” Gov. Justice said. “That was an important time in my life. Nowadays, kids have so many things going on, and we want to give them a reason to get excited about getting their licenses. This program is one of the innovative ways we’re encouraging kids to learn how to drive.”
The Parent’s Supervised Driving Program includes the popular RoadReady mobile app, suitable for both iPhone and Android. The app is free and can be downloaded from your phone’s app store. The program is also available online as a pdf download at PSDPonline.com. The program is in use in 24 states (including Washington D.C.) nationwide.
Commissioner Frazier said the DMV has come a long way in the technology department ever since he began heading up the organization.
“You wanted me to improve technology and modernize the DMV, and I’m happy to say we’re doing just that,” Frazier told Gov. Justice Wednesday during a press briefing.
The RoadReady app logs the hours spent by drivers behind the wheel. Families can keep track of the hours before the teen tests for their driver’s licenses.
West Virginia teens who test for their Level 1 or Level 2 GDL will be provided a copy of an instruction guidebook, which is divided into separate lessons that focus on specific skills for driving and operating a vehicle.
“Safety on our roadways is a number one priority for me,” Frazier said. “Keeping all West Virginians safe on the road is a priority to me, and as a parent myself, I value the knowledge and guidance this program provides.”
Car crashes are the leading cause of death for teenagers, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The organization encourages parents to become more involved with their teens who are learning to drive.
For more information, visit the WV DMV website at dmv.wv.gov.
Article from WVMetronews