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Safety Message Targets Teen Drivers

Jessica Bair/SUNCOAST

WITH THE SCHOOL YEAR under way, teen drivers should take precautions while on busy roadways. Failing to do so could create a scene like the one pictured above. Fortunately, this was merely a mock teen traffic fatality created last year at Ridgewood High.

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By Jessica  Bair | The Suncoast News

Published: September 5, 2007

NEW PORT RICHEY, Fla. - NEW PORT RICHEY, Fla. - The 2007-2008 school year is barely under way and already teens in car crashes are making headlines around the Suncoast .

With the back-to-school rush, parents of teens who drive, or even ride with new teen drivers, raises concerns.

According to Allstate Insurance, nearly 6,000 teens are killed and approximately 300,000 are injured in automobile crashes each year.

Teen drivers have the highest crash risk of any age group, and the problem is worst among 16 year olds, who have the most limited driving experience behind the wheel.

To help keep teen drivers safe during school season, Allstate suggests considering these guidelines.

-- Put a limit on the number of passengers in the car. Teens are likely to have more trouble focusing on the road with laughter, music, food and other distractions, all of which increase with the number of passengers.

-- Establish and enforce a house curfew. Check with the local police department to see if your town has a curfew for minors. If not, set your own.

-- Insist your teen and his or her passengers always use a seat belt. Teens tend to wear seat belts less often than other drivers. Remind teenagers the presence of airbags does not mean that he or she can ignore the rules.

-- Make sure their cell phones are turned off. Teens may love talking on the phone, but doing so while driving is a dangerous distraction. Taking on a cell phone can give a teen the reaction time of a 70-year-old.

-- Limit or supervise your teen's driving during times of high risk. In 2005, the highest number of fatal teen driving accidents occurred on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Also in 2005, one-half of teen crash deaths happened between 9 p.m. and 9 a.m.

-- Set driving area limits. If your teen wants to travel out of town, require he or she request special permission.

-- Prohibit driving or riding with others under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Your teen should know that you will always be willing to pick up him or her rather than have them risk driving after they have been drinking or riding with a driver who has been drinking. Consider revoking driving privileges for a period of time if your teen places himself or herself in these dangerous situations.

For more information about safe teen driving and statistics, visit Allstate Teen Driver Page or contact a local Allstate agent's office by telephoning 1-800-ALLSTATE.

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