The school year has started right, friends, family, and activities and oh don’t forget homework! Now let’s focus on driving, getting your driver’s license is an exciting time in any teen’s life. Soon, you will be thinking about graduation, college, and careers. Here at Drive Smart Nebraska, we are teaming up with Teens in the Driver Seat, Nebraska FCCLA, SADD and MADD during National Teen Driver Safety Week, October 20-26, 2019, to encourage teen drivers to follow the rules of the road while behind the wheel.
Check out these stats: Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for teens 15 to 18 in the United States, ahead of all other types of injury, disease, and violence. In fact, in 2017 there were an estimated 93,000 teen drivers injured in motor vehicle traffic crashes, and an estimated 293,000 people injured in crashes involving a teen driver.
In Nebraska, in 2017, there were 22 teen traffic deaths and over 72% (16) were NOT wearing seatbelts. Seatbelts really do save lives – make sure you and everyone in your car is buckled up before you head out to the next event.
“We know you’re excited to have the keys in hand after all these years, but we really want to take this time to talk about the importance of safe driving habits and of following the law,” said Mark Segerstrom, Highway Safety Administrator, “We’re counting on your parents and our stakeholders to help us share this information.” In addition, we are counting on you – it could save your life or your friend’s. During October, we will be promoting five rules of the road. We would ask that you follow these rules to be a safer driver and to avoid crashes.
To learn more about teen driver safety visit: https://dot.nebraska.gov/safety/driving/teen
