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Parents need to talk to teens about preventing risky driving behavior

It should come as no surprise to most logically-thinking folks that people who have the least amount of experience — both in life and driving — would be the most likely to engage in risky behaviors behind the wheel.

According to AAA, drivers who are ages 16 and 17 are three times as likely as those 18 and older to be in a crash and they are more than two and a half times as likely to be in a fatal crash.

It’s why the time between Memorial Day and Labor Day — when school is typically not in session and teens are on the roads more frequently — is referred to as the “100 Deadliest Days.”

Among the factors most often blamed for crashes involving teen drivers are distraction, not wearing a seat belt and speeding.

Distraction plays a role in nearly six of every 10 teen crashes. Often, the distraction involves use of a smartphone while driving, but can also include activities like talking with other passengers. Parents can make a big difference by making it known that use of a phone while driving won’t be tolerated and that teen drivers need to keep their eyes and focus on the road.

When teens are killed in car crashes, nearly 60 percent of the time, the deceased teen wasn’t wearing a seat belt. Parents cannot stress enough to their teen drivers that not only is driving or riding in a car without wearing a seat belt illegal, but it is also the best step that can be taken to reduce the risk of a fatal injury should a crash occur.

And as is the case almost across the board in fatal crashes, how quickly the car was moving is usually a factor. Speeding is an element of nearly 30 percent of fatal crashes involving teen drivers. Parents can not only stress the importance of maintaining a safe speed but also demonstrate this practice when driving.

Many crashes involving teen drivers can be prevented, provided the teen driver takes his or her responsibility seriously.

That’s why we join AAA in urging parents of teen drivers to sit down and talk with their kids about the perils of driving dangerously, to lead by example by minimizing risky behavior while behind the wheel and making a parent-teen driving agreement that sets rules for teen drivers.

Summer is supposed to be a fun time for young people, allowing them to take a break from the rigors of school work. But getting into a crash, especially one that could have been prevented, can turn a fun time tragic.

We hope teen drivers and their parents will take the necessary steps to reduce the number of young lives tragically cut short by irresponsible and careless behavior while behind the wheel.

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