Summer is supposed to be a time of celebration for teens and their families, with prom, graduation and college on the horizon. Unfortunately, new analysis of crash data from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) shows that July 4 is the deadliest day for teens on the road and is just as deadly for the motorists that will be driving alongside them.
In the U.S., car crashes are the number one cause of death for everyone ages 1-34, with teens crashing four times more often than any other age group. Based on the latest available data, IIHS reports that more than 800 people were killed on July 4 from 2006-2010. And if the projections remain true this year, an average of 140 people will lose their lives on July 4 due to car crashes.
“These tragedies are compounded by the fact that many crashes are preventable,” stated Victoria Dinges, vice president of public social responsibility at Allstate. “Driver error, speeding and distractions are the main causes of crashes. Simple activities such as switching radio stations or interacting with friends can significantly impair a teen’s or adult’s ability to react quickly to changing traffic conditions. Staying focused on the road, wearing seat belts and following the speed limit and other road rules are simple steps we can all take this July 4 to make sure we return home safely.”
Teens accounted for nearly 10 percent of the fatalities that occur on July 4 and are particularly susceptible to fatal distracted driving incidents. Research from The Allstate Foundation found that 49 percent of teens report that texting is their biggest distraction behind the wheel.
Allstate Insurance Company’s Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Thomas J. Wilson praised Congress for including incentive grants to encourage states to adopt optimal graduated driver licensing (GDL) laws as part of its just-passed Surface Transportation Reauthorization Bill. Allstate has been a leading and tireless advocate for graduated driver licensing provisions that help protect teen drivers.
“We applaud Congress for taking a major step forward to support efforts to reduce the number of teenagers that die in auto accidents. Our employees and agency owners are proud to be part of a bipartisan coalition of legislators, public safety officials and grieving parents that have led the effort to save thousands of teens who die every year,” said Wilson.
Graduated driver licensing laws require new young drivers to gain experience under supervised and less risky conditions so they can become responsible and safe drivers. Research has shown these requirements can reduce fatalities by up to 40 percent. The Allstate Foundation’s License to Save report found that comprehensive GDL laws could save an estimated 2,000 lives and $13.6 billion annually.
“This legislation will provide incentives to states to ensure this research is fully considered in the establishment of their GDL standards. We will continue to work with state and local leaders to implement appropriate driver licensing laws,” concluded Wilson.
Allstate and The Allstate Foundation urge Americans to do their part in making roads safer for all families during the Independence Day holiday. The Allstate Foundation’s website is a great tool for additional facts and resources that can keep everyone safe on America’s roads. Parents in particular can take simple steps to help their teens be safer on the road:
For Parents:
Talk to your teen early and often. Discuss the risks and responsibilities of driving with your child at a young age and keep talking to your teen before, during and after the licensing process.
Don’t rush the training process. Just because teens have a permit or license doesn’t mean they are ready for every driving condition. By easing into the training process, you’ll help ensure that you and your teen will be ready for any situation.
Understand your state’s laws. GDL laws are minimum standards that can help keep teens safer on the road; however, the more that parents are involved in their teen’s driving experience, the more likely that teen will be a safer driver and passenger. To help educate parents and teens about the safety measures that keep drivers protected, The Allstate Foundation created a new free Parent-Teen Driving Agreement. The agreement can help parents and their teens make safer decisions when they get behind the wheel and when they ride as passengers with their friends.
Practice what you preach. Be a positive role model when you’re behind the wheel. Your teen is more likely to be a calm and courteous driver, wear a seat belt and follow the rules of the road if they see you do the same.