Safe Communities Carman-Dufferin is reminding young drivers and their parents to be safe when traveling the roads.

October 20 to 26 marks National Teen Driver Safety Week and is aimed at educating new drivers on the impacts that drugs, alcohol, and other distracted driving can have.

"Young people have the highest rate of traffic death and injury among all age groups," says Monica Halbesma, Public Education Safety Coordinator.

She says there are a few simple ways that teens can be making sure their safe before, and when they get into the driver's seat.

"Being high impairs your ability to drive safely so don't risk it. Drive sober, [use] a designated driver or stay over at the place where you're at."

Making sure you're not speeding and not distracted by your phone or other technology is also very important.

Halbesma says they get this message straight into the minds of teens by doing school presentations about the misconceptions and misinformation kids may encounter. Mainly, that having only a small amount of alcohol or drugs won't inhibit their driving ability.

"Cannabis can reduce your ability to concentrate, alter perceptions of time and space, and slow reaction times. A lot of kids do it and very few get caught, and the fact is police report nearly 3,000 drug-impaired driving incidents per year."

She adds that the risk is not worth it because impaired driving is 100 percent preventable.

One thing she encourages parents to do is to make sure they have conversations with their children and be an example of safety because that is the first priority of drivers still learning.