The number of teen traffic deaths has increased. For years, the number has declined, but it has recently begun to increase. According to the Governors Highway Safety Association, the number of deaths of 16 and 17 year old drivers has increased 19%. Traffic deaths are a serious issue for teens. Traffic collisions are the number one cause of injury and death for American teens aged 15 through 20.
The study does not discuss the causes for the spike in traffic deaths. Experts speculate the spike could be caused by the improving economy. An improving economy usually means that there are more teen drivers on the road. Teenage drivers also have more distractions than ever before.
Many teens have mobile devices, mp3 players, laptops, and more. These are great electronic devices, but they can be incredibly distracting while someone is driving. Distracted driving is a leading cause of car accident. Teens are the most susceptible to distractions while they are driving. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration 40% of American teens have reported being in a car when the driver was distracted by a cell phone.
If your teen is a new driver, you need to educate him or her about the dangers of distracted driving. In 2011, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 3,331 people were killed in crashes involving a distracted driver. Text messaging while driving can create a significantly worse accident
Teens are also less experienced drivers. It is important to have them drive in different conditions. Teach your teen how to drive in hazardous conditions like rain and snow. This will prepare them in case your teen experiences any hazardous conditions. Driving in hazardous conditions increases the chance of car accidents. Prepare your teen by fully educating him. If possible, avoid letting your teen drive extensively at night and in bad weather.
Teach your teen the importance of proper car maintenance. Remind your teen to inspect the tire pressure level at least once a month. Under-inflated tires can cause flats and tire blowouts. Tire blowouts are one of the leading causes of car accidents on the highway. Your teen should also make sure he gets his car's oil changed regularly. Oil changes protect the engine and improve fuel economy. Postponing an oil change is damaging to the engine and can cause serious car accidents in the long run.
Teach your teen how to drive defensively. While driving, your teen should focus on the road. While focusing on the road, it is important to be pay attention to the surrounding cars. Defensive driving can prevent dangerous collisions.
There are also many simple safety practices. Remind your teen to always buckle up. This simple safety step has saved many lives. Tell them to avoid driving too many people. More people in a vehicle usually mean more distractions. Remind them the importance of following speeding limits and following other driving safety laws.
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