Teen driver safety important this time of year
MANSFIELD – A commercial seemingly playing on repeat in recent weeks shows three teens driving in a car together. They're happy, laughing, texting — then comes the crash.
It's not a pleasant viewing experience, especially for parents.
But the "U Drive. U Text. U Pay" campaign commercial is supposed to make viewers squirm. It's supposed to spark discussion and remind parents, and teen drivers, about the danger of distracted driving.
Distracted driving is any activity that could divert a person's attention away from the primary task of driving, according to Distraction.gov, the official U.S. government website for distracted driving.
With school nearly out, prom season here and summer break rapidly approaching, more teen drivers will be begging parents to borrow the family car. But before handing over the keys, parents are encouraged to remind young drivers about the rules of the road.
"We want parents to know that even though their teens might be gaining some independence, the parents' job doesn't end there," said Reed Richmond, Health Educator at Richland Public Health and a Safe Communities spokesperson. "Teens are still kids. They still need rules and restrictions, and believe it or not, parents — they'll listen to you."
Today, motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death in U.S. teens, increasingly the result of distracted driving because of cellphones, car radios, friends and GPS devices.
Ten percent of all drivers ages 15 to 19 involved in fatal crashes were reported as being distracted. They are the largest proportion of distracted drivers, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
And the statistics don't get better from there.
The Ohio Department of Public Safety recorded 269,082 traffic crashes in 2013, according to the latest data available. Of those, there were 990 fatalities, the lowest number of lives lost on Ohio roads compared with previous years. But the percentage of teen deaths and injuries is on the rise.
The number of teen drivers, passengers and pedestrians younger than age 20 killed in Ohio motor vehicle accidents in 2013 was 128, roughly 14 percent of all vehicle deaths, public safety data shows. Even more teens were injured in crashes, with 22,281 hurt.
Cellphone use was determined to be a factor in 563 of overall teen crashes, despite it being illegal for novice drivers.
Texting while driving is a secondary offense for all other drivers, meaning if caught violating another driving law, officers can increase the fine by also citing the driver for using a cellphone.
"Speak up when you are a passenger and your driver uses an electronic device while driving," Ohio State Highway Patrol Lt. Matthew Them said. "Offer to make the call or text for them, so his or her full attention stays on the road."
"It's important for parents to set a good example for young drivers by never texting and driving," Them said.
For more information on setting the ground rules for teen drivers, and to print a pledge form solidifying their commitment to safe driving, visit www.distraction.gov.
kdurbin@gannett.com
419-521-7205
Twitter: @njKaitlinDurbin
Safe driving tips to share with teens
• No drinking and driving: Not only is it against the law, it impairs drivers and puts lives at risk.
• Buckle up: Seat belt use can save lives and reduce injuries. Make sure passengers in front seat and back seat are buckled in at all times.
• Obey the law: Texting and driving is illegal for novice drivers, and can be ticketed by police. AT&T's "It Can Wait" campaign encourages drivers to text #X to pause conversations while driving.
• Slow down: Speeding also is a common contributing factor in fatal crashes.
• One passenger at a time: Ohio law stipulates drivers younger than age 17 are not permitted to operate a motor vehicle with more than one person who is not a family member in the vehicle, unless accompanied by the licensed adult. A passenger increases the risk of a crash, studies show.