Wisdom on the road can save lives

Almost every student at Armijo will have a reason to celebrate National Teen Driver Safety Week. It may be a week that is celebrated in anticipation of needing it, and it may be in appreciation of having it. This year, that week will be celebrated from Sunday, October 18 through Saturday, October 24.

National Teen Driver Safety Week is actually a somber observation to bring awareness to the death and injuries of teenagers on the road. Car crashes are the number one cause for teen deaths in the United States. National Teen Driver Safety Week reminds parents to encourage their kids to be safe on the road, to look out for others, and to seek solutions to problems.

The website for the National Highway Traffic Safety administration (NHTSA), www.nhtsa.gov/road-safety/teen-driving, has detailed information and statistics on teen driving, and outlines the basic rules parents can use to help reduce the risks for teen drivers:

Impaired Driving: All teens are too young to legally buy, possess, or consume alcohol. However, nationally, 16% of teen drivers involved in fatal crashes in 2018 had alcohol in their system. But alcohol isn’t the only substance that can keep you from driving safely: Like other drugs, marijuana affects a driver’s ability to react to their surroundings. Driving is a complex task, and marijuana slows reaction time, affecting a driver’s ability to drive safely. Driving under the influence of any impairing substance — including illicit or prescription drugs, or over-the-counter medication — could have deadly consequences.

Seat Belt Safety: Wearing a seat belt is one of the simplest ways for teens to stay safe in a vehicle. Yet too many teens aren’t buckling up. In 2018, almost half (45%) of the teen passenger vehicle drivers who died were unbuckled. Even more troubling, when the teen driver involved in the fatal crash was unbuckled, nine out of 10 of the passengers who died were also unbuckled. It’s important to buckle up on every trip, every time, no matter what — front seat and back.

Distracted Driving: Cell phone use while driving is more than just risky — it can be deadly, and is outlawed in 47 states, Washington DC, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Remember the dangers of texting and using a phone while driving. Distracted driving isn’t limited to cell phone use; other passengers, audio and climate controls in the vehicle, and eating or drinking while driving are all examples of dangerous distractions for teen drivers. In 2018, among teen drivers of passenger vehicles involved in fatal crashes, 10% were reported as distracted at the time of the crash. Also remember that headphones are not appropriate to wear while driving a vehicle, as they can distract a driver from hearing sirens, horns, or other important sounds.

Speed Limits: Speeding is a critical issue for all drivers, especially for teens. In 2018, more than one-quarter (28%) of all teen drivers of passenger vehicles involved in fatal crashes were speeding at the time of the crash, and males were more likely to be involved in fatal speeding-related crashes than females. Always drive within the speed limit.

Passengers: Passengers in a teen’s car can lead to disastrous consequences. Research shows that the risk of a fatal crash goes up dramatically in direct relation to the number of passengers in a car. The likelihood of teen drivers engaging in risky behavior triples when traveling with multiple passengers.

Awareness is the first step, but following the rules can save lives, not just your own but those of others on the road. Celebrate National Teen Driver Safety Week safely and be here to experience it again next year.