Teen driving myths
As many might suspect, teen-related car crashes remain the
leading cause of permanent injury and death for teens across
According to the Centers for Disease Control, 1999 statistics, teen car crashes accounted for a whopping 76 percent of all teen deaths caused by unintentional injuries (teens ages 16-20).
Further, of all causes of death combined, teen car crashes account for a full 41 percent, whereas homicide, the second leading cause of death, accounts for 18 percent of teen mortality
During Safe Driving Week, June 2-8, parents of teen drivers are encouraged
by
Myth 1: It is safer to drive during the night when there is less traffic.
Truth: More teen drivers die in car crashes between
Recommendation: Parents should restrict late night driving and opt to act as chauffeur. Better to pick your teen up at a dance than at the hospital or morgue.
Myth 2: Teens are safer with more passengers in the car to help watch traffic.
Truth: The more teen passengers in the car the greater the likelihood of a crash. Teens tend to turn up the music and carry on more boisterously with other teens in the car, causing serious driver distraction.
Recommendation: Parents should limit the number of teen passengers allowed to travel in the vehicle with a teen driver and the number of passengers must never exceed the number of working seat belts.
Myth 3: Alcohol is the leading cause of teen driver-related car crashes.
Truth: Speeding is the No. 1 cause of teen driver car crashes.
Recommendation: Parents should caution their teens against speeding, and while teens like to see how fast they can go, parents should make sure the brakes are in good mechanical order.
Myth 4: Parent-youth safe driving contracts don’t work.
Truth: Safe driving contracts encourage communication between parent and youth so parents can relate clear expectations to teens. Parents who use comprehensive contracts tend to place greater restrictions on their teen driver resulting in safer road use.
Recommendation: Look for and use the most comprehensive parent-youth safe driving contract available and go through it with your teen.
Parents are encouraged to review the I Promise Program Web site – www.ipromiseprogram.com for such a contract. This program combines a multi-item safe driving contract with a rear window decal that encourages reports on driver behavior as a means of accountability. Any report received only goes back to the family. This program has been developed with youth, parents, community members, police and other organizations.
Finally, all parents must remember that teen safe driving starts with you. Be a good role model of responsible driving behavior and this will increase the odds that your teen will be a good driver, too.
Contact:
Gary
Direnfeld, MSW, Executive Director
I Promise Program
20
(905) 628-4847
gary123@sympatico.ca
www.ipromiseprogram.com