Our Deadliest Drivers
Teenage vehicle fatalities during the last ten years surpass the entire death toll of the Vietnam War.
The number-one cause of death among Americans between the ages of one and 24 is auto accidents. And over 75% of the time, the crashes are caused by driver error.
Tips for Parents of Teen Drivers
Let them drive with you often.
Inexperience is the problem; months of supervised practice is the only solution. Don't give a 16-year old a car for at least one full year. This group has a crash rate five times higher than drivers over 25.
Limit number of passengers.
Carloads of buddies incite showing off and reduce concentration.
Restrict or avoid night driving.
Darkness triples the risk. After 10 p.m., half of all drivers are intoxicated.
Negotiate a contract of acceptable behavior.
Back it up by removing privileges for six months after the first incident. Enforce zero tolerance for moving violations. This age group gets more tickets than any other except drivers over 82.
Never, ever tolerate drinking and driving.
Alcohol-related crashes kill more students than the Columbine massacre every week.
Set good examples.
Obey the speed limits and always use seatbelts. 80% of teens don't bother to buckle up.
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