Teens met at the nation’s capital recently to discuss safe driving habits during the summer and the dangers of driving among large trucks, according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
Those teens now understand that when they hit the road this summer, so do a number of large trucks, increasing the risks of a deadly car accident in Palm Beach and elsewhere.
During the meeting in Washington D.C., teens pledged to make this summer a little safer for all motorists. Large trucks pose a number of threats to teen drivers as they have extremely large blind spots and provide more fatal risks when involved in an accident with a motor vehicle. The teen drivers pledged to put down their cell phone while driving and to practice extra caution around these big rigs.
Our Fort Lauderdale car accident attorneys understand that our teen drivers face a higher risk for a motor-vehicle accident than those in any other age group. Lack of driving experience is one of the main contributors, followed by distracted driving and drunk driving. Parents are urged to join the awareness campaign and to discuss the dangers of irresponsible driving habits with their young driver.
“Prom, graduation, and summer are fantastic times for youth to celebrate and enjoy. However, with these fun times come unfortunate tragedies,” said Sandy Spavone, president of the National Organizations for Youth Safety (NOYS). “Through education, enforcement, and legislation lives can be saved and injuries prevented.”
Officials from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, the National Organizations for Youth Safety and the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance attended this gathering and spoke to students in the area about the importance of driving safely around large trucks. They warned these drivers that a fully loaded tractor trailer needs about twice the distance to stop that a passenger vehicle needs. They also talked to students about large blind spots and urged drivers to keep out of these “No Zones.”
“We want everyone to be safe, but as newer drivers, teens must adhere to a few simple rules,” said Anne Ferro, administrator of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. “They are: buckle up, don’t drink and drive; don’t speed, don’t text or use your phone, and steer clear of a truck’s blind spots.”
According to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System, the deadliest days of the year for teens are from May to August. During these four summer months, it is estimated that nearly twice as many teens die on our roadways every day as compared with the rest of the year. This equals an average of roughly 16 deaths per day. The rest of the year averages about nine deaths each day.
Motorists ages 16 to 24 have the highest traffic accident death rate in the United States. From 2005 to 2009, about 4,000 individuals of this age group were killed in motor-vehicle accidents involving large trucks.
“Do not expect that having a driver’s license is a right that comes without responsibility or risk,” said Steve Keppler, executive director of the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance. “Be accountable for your actions, spread the word to your friends and parents, and help create a culture of safety. Most importantly, take the driving task seriously. You never know the impact you can have that ultimately could save your life or someone else’s.”
In 2009, Florida had nearly 400 deaths as a result of motor-vehicle accidents involving a teen driver. With awareness, education and experience, we can help keep our teens safe on our roadways this summer and throughout the year.
If you have been involved in a car accident in South Florida, West Palm Beach or Fort Lauderdale, contact Freeman, Mallard, Sharp & Gonzalez for legal assistance. Call 1-800-529-2368 to make a free appointment to discuss your rights.
More Blog Entries:
April Marks National Distracted Driving Awareness Month – Risk of Miami Car Accidents Increases with Distracted Driving , South Florida Injury Lawyers Blog, April 13, 2011
Rear-end accidents involving tractor-trailers a deadly cause of car accidents in West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale , South Florida Injury Lawyers Blog, March 23, 2011
Road Rage often leads to Palm Beach car accidents , South Florida Injury Lawyers Blog, March 21, 2011