By Karla Sullivan
This week the Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.) released information regarding Teen Driver Safety Week, which included statistics, tips, and date relating to teen driving.
Auto crashes are the leading cause of death for U.S. youths between the ages of 15 to 20, according to the National Center for Health Statistics. In 2012 (the latest year statistics are available), 4,283 young drivers aged 15-20 were involved in fatal crashes, and 1,875 of those drivers (44 percent) died in the crash, NHTSA reports.
Immaturity and lack of driving experience are the two main factors leading to the high crash rate among teens, according to the I.I.I.
Teens’ lack of experience affects their recognition of, and response to, hazardous situations and results in dangerous practices, such as speeding and tailgating.
Other major contributing factors to the higher crash risk of young drivers are night driving and teen passengers. Teenagers are involved in more motor vehicle crashes late in the day, and at night, than at other times of the day.
As part of the federal government’s National Teen Driver Safety Week (October 19-25, 2014), the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is promoting its “5 to Drive” campaign, “which encourages parents and guardians to set clear rules related to some of the riskiest behaviors associated with young drivers before they get behind the wheel.”
Graduated drivers license (GDL) laws, which include a three-phase program that allows teen drivers to develop more mature driving attitudes and gain experience, have been successful in reducing teen motor vehicle accidents, points out the I.I.I.
According to the CDC, parents are the key to helping teens be responsible drivers.
Having regular conversations and practicing together are some of the ways to begin. CDC also provides a sample parent-teen driving agreement that covers detailed tips for safe driving. The following are just a few of the many suggestions advised:
· Always wear a seat belt and make all passengers do the same
· Never give rides to hitchhikers
· Never text while driving
· Never talk on the cell phone, including hands free devices or speakerphone
· Never use headphones or ear buds to listen to music
· Never allow alcohol or illegal drugs in the car
Restriction ideas are also included as well as penalties for agreement violations such as no driving privileges for a period of time. Better to have parents imposing penalties rather than the severe costs of police intervention or injury. The latter can be a permanent catastrophe that will stay on your driving record for a very long time.
