MADD Teen Influencer
May 2024
There are three important factors that must be considered when parents take initiative in talking to their teens prior to these “100 Deadliest Days:”
Distractions The main distractions for teens are texting or talking to other passengers. These distractions are the reason for six out of every ten crashes. Research has found that texting while driving increases a teen's risk of crashing by six times, and texting while driving increases the risk by 23 times. Research also shows that the risk of a fatal crash goes up in direct relation to the number of teenagers in the car. Seatbelts Surprisingly, teens are less likely to buckle up when driving with peers. In 2022, 50% of teen drivers who died were unbuckled. When the teen driver involved in the fatal crash was unbuckled, nine out of 10 of the passengers who died were also unbuckled. Many teens may think they are invincible or that they don't need seat belts. They may have a false notion that they have the right to choose whether to buckle up. Set a good example as a parent and role model by always wearing your seat belt in the car. Reckless Driving Speeding is a serious safety issue for teens. A study by the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) found that teens were involved in 19,447 speeding- related crashes. There is also evidence that teens tend to speed over a longer period, possibly as they gain confidence in driving. Teens that are watched closely and monitored while driving with their parents are less likely to speed. The more involved parents are in helping their teens learn to drive, the more responsible their teens will become behind the wheel. Since teens learn by watching, parents should never speed in front of their teens as kids learn from observing their parents’ actions.
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