Shut up and Drive...sorta

DRIVE SAFE THIS WEEKEND

As we move into the weekend, when teens do a majority of their driving, especially night-time driving, remember that it’s National Teen Driver Safety Week

According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for U.S. teens. “In 2007, eleven teens ages 16 to 19 died every day from motor vehicle injuries.”

10 THINGS PEOPLE DON'T KNOW ABOUT TEEN DRIVING

1. Sixteen-year-olds are three times more likely to die in a car crash than other drivers.

2. Simple driver error is a factor in two-thirds of fatal teen crashes.

3. Two-thirds of teen occupants killed in crashes were not wearing seat belts

4. In 2005, 12 percent of high school males reported driving after drinking.

5. Two or more teen passengers make fatal teen crash risk five times more likely.

6. Two-thirds of teens who die in car crashes are passengers of teen drivers.

7. Speeding is a factor in 40 percent of all teen driver fatalities.

8. Being awake for 18 hours leads to a driver impairment equivalent to having a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level of 0.08, which is legally drunk.

9. Inexperience combined with distractions is lethal.

10.The distractions proven to kill teens: teen passengers and cell phones.

WHAT'S THE CAUSE?

Drugs and alcohol are STILL a big factor. Nationally, 64 percent of all drivers or motorcycle operators ages 15 to 20 who were involved in traffic accidents and were legally drunk died as a result of the crash. But, driving under the influence seems to be taking a bit of a back seat to “Distracted Driving” – the distraction of cell phones, texting and having other teen passengers in the car.

Check out this site that gives all sorts of things to consider before you answer your phone or text someone when behind the wheel::

http://www.whatdoyouconsiderlethal.com

Also check out the graphic video PSA depicting the dangers of texting while driving.

Warning, the images seen can be disturbing.

Click here to view

And Finally - if you're in the Greater Seattle area,

Click HERE to see a list of All-Ages concerts/shows from The Stranger.