Out Of School Into Cars

Summer is the season that cars come out more plentiful and the person behind the wheel is most likely a teenager. Though driving should be a fun experience for everyone it is usually not. Car crashes are the leading cause of death for 15- to-20 year-olds in the United States. There are also more driving-related deaths in the summer months than any other season of the year. So while driving this summer it is important to remember the safe driving tips that most teenagers seem to ignore. No one is above safety and certainly no one is above death.
According to the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles, in 2003, most vehicular fatalities among teens were caused by excessive speed (32%). Driver inattention accounted for 15% of all crashes, followed by driving on the wrong side of the road (11%). Alcohol use accounted for 10% of all fatalities. These statistics show the importance of remembering to drive according to the speed limit and to pay attention. There should be no texting or talking on a cell phone while on the road. Distractions such as these put driving in a second place while it should be a number one priority while on the road. Also, teen drivers' chances of crashing increase with each additional teen passenger so, try to make sure there are more adult or experienced drivers in the car as well. Remember to put a seat belt on at all times. Summer time should be full of joy not regrets. Remembering these basic safety tips and advice will make the difference between costing a life or having a blissful summer.