October 18th – 24th is National Teen Driver Safety Week. Why should a week be set aside to focus on teen driving? Below are some statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to support this effort:
In 2007…
* Motor vehicle crashes were the leading cause of death for U.S. teens;
* More than one in three deaths for this age group involved a motor vehicle;
* More than 4,200 teens in the United States, aged 15–19, were killed in motor vehicle crashes;
* 11 teens, ages 16-19, died every day from motor vehicle injuries;
* 400,000 teens were treated in emergency departments for injuries suffered in motor-vehicle crashes; and
* Per mile driven, teen drivers ages 16 to 19 were four times more likely than older drivers to crash.
The goal of this campaign is to develop an awareness of teen car accidents and to work to find solutions to above difficult statistics. The focus should also be on parents, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation Blog. It is up to parents to discuss the dangers of driving – since many teens underestimate dangerous situations and often take unnecessary risks.
Check out the Ford sponsored “Driving Skills for Life” website. This website lists safe driving tips, has links to videos on how to maintain your vehicle, suggestions for Eco-Driving, and tips for parents to help coach their teens. In addition, resources for educators are provided to help implement this teen program.
