Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for
teens in the United States, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration (NHTSA). In 2016, teen driver deaths increased 6 percent from
the previous year.
To raise awareness about six driving dangers, KDOT is
participating in National Teen Driver Safety Week and would like to remind teen
drivers:
Don’t drive while impaired: Although teens are too young to legally
drink, they still are at risk for driving under the influence. Nearly one out
of five teen drivers involved in crashes resulting in a fatality had been
drinking, the NHTSA found When it comes to drinking and driving, it’s just not
worth it.
Buckle up — every trip, every time. It doesn’t matter where in the
vehicle you are sitting, everyone should wear their seat belts. It is one of
the easiest ways for teens and their passengers to travel safer and buckling up
saves lives.
Ditch the distractions. Distracted driving is not only dangerous,
it is deadly. That text message or social media post can wait. Your life is way
too important to risk it. Remember that distracted driving can look like many
different things – talking to other passengers, listening to music, turning up
the heat or air conditioning and eating. These are just a few of the
distractions that all drivers experience.
Go the speed limit. Speeding is a huge problem for drivers of any
age., Almost one-third of teen drivers involved in a fatal crash were speeding,
the NHTSA found. Following the speed
limit could mean the difference between life and death.
Passengers can affect how you drive. The likelihood of teens
engaging in risky driving behaviors or being distracted increases with multiple
passengers. As the driver, you control
the mood of your trip. Limit the number of passengers who ride with you or tell
them how they can ride safely in your vehicle.
Driving drowsy is dangerous. Everyone
is busy, even teens. With sports, studying for tests, extracurricular
activities, jobs and even hanging out with loved ones, there is a lot going on
in the lives of young drivers. With all these important tasks, the amount of
sleep young motorists receive is far less than what is needed to drive safely.
Remember to get a good night’s sleep before you get behind the wheel. Only
drive when you are fully awake and alert.
Parents, and guardians, it is
up to all of us to teach the next generation the importance of driving safely.
Lead by example and show your teens what safe driving behavior looks like.
For more information about National Teen Driver Safety Week
please visit: www.nhtsa.gov/road-safety/teen-driving.
No comments:
Post a Comment