With National Teen Driver Safety Week upon us, here’s what parents can do to take part, a Portland car accident lawyer explains.

From Oct. 19^th through the 24^th, officials at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) are sponsoring National Teen Driver Safety Week, calling on parents to take action to promote safe driving behaviors among teen motorists.

Pointing out the importance of this campaign, U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx has explained that:

When parents model and reinforce safe driving habits, they equip their teens with the skills to safely navigate the roadways for life… Parents need to take the time to talk with their kids about behaviors that will keep them safe, and those that create greater risk.

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Teens behind the Wheel: The Accident Statistics

While Secretary Foxx’s comments above reveal the role that parents can play in promoting safe driving behaviors among teens, the following data may elucidate just why parents may need to be getting more involved:

In the U.S., the number one of cause of death for teens between 15 and 20 years old is motor vehicle accidents.
In 2013 (the most recent year for which complete data is currently available), traffic accidents killed more than 2,600 teenagers and injured about 130,000 others.
Only about 1 in every 4 parents has seriously talked to their licensed teen children about the importance of safe driving and what behaviors they should avoid behind the wheel.

NHTSA’s Call to Action for Parents: Talk about These Issues with Teen Drivers

To start reversing the grim statistics above, the NHTSA is now calling on parents to discuss the following five issues with their teens before letting them take the keys and get behind the wheel:

Never drink and drive.
Never use cellphones to make calls or send/read text messages.
Always wear a seatbelt whenever driving or riding in passenger vehicles.
Always comply with the speed limit.
Avoid driving with other teens in the car, as this can double (if not triple) the risk of accident-causing behaviors.

Share this post with other parents who have teen drivers at home – and share your opinions and comments about National Teen Driver Safety Week with us on Facebook & Google+.

Contact a Portland Car Accident Lawyer at the Savage Law Firm

If you have been hurt in a traffic accident that may have involved negligence, contact a Portland car accident lawyer at the Savage Law Firm for experienced help and aggressive legal advocacy. For more than three decades, our lawyers have been devoted to providing each of our clients with personal attention, respect and the highest quality legal services.

To learn more about our legal services and what we can do for you, call us at 503-222-0200 (in Portland) or at 206-957-7272 (in Seattle). You can also email us using the form on this page. We represent clients in communities in both Oregon and Washington from our offices in Portland and Seattle.