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National Teen Driver Safety Week is October 20-26

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The Kentucky Office of Highway Safety (KOHS) is joining the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) during National Teen Driver Safety Week, October 20-26, to help empower parents to talk with their young drivers about the importance of driving safely.

“Parents have a strong influence on their teens, even as they grow older and become more independent,” said Acting KOHS Executive Director Jason Siwula. “Because of their lack of experience, teen drivers are a potential danger to themselves and to other drivers, which is why it is so important that parents take time to discuss safe driving practices with their teens.”

According to NHTSA, motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for teens between the ages of 15-18 in the United States. Per mile driven, teens are involved in three times as many fatal crashes as all other drivers.

Over the past three years in Kentucky, there were more than 42,000 crashes involving a teenage driver, resulting in more than 12,000 injuries and 162 fatalities.

“Laws are not enough to protect these young drivers. We need parents to set the rules before handing over the car keys,” said Siwula. “We hope parents will start the conversation about safe driving during National Teen Driver Safety Week, but then continue the conversations—every day throughout the year—to help keep their teens safe behind the wheel.”

NHTSA’s website, www.nhtsa.gov/road-safety/teen-driving, has information and statistics on teen driving, and outlines six basic rules for the road:

1.Distracted Driving: According to NHTSA, driver distraction is the leading factor in most crashes. Talking or texting on cell phones, talking to passengers, adjusting audio and climate controls in the vehicle, and eating or drinking while driving are all examples of distractions.  Additionally, headphones are not safe to wear while driving, as they can distract a driver from hearing sirens, horns or other important sounds.

2.Seat Belts: Wearing a seat belt is the best protection against injury and death, yet according to NHTSA, teens are less likely to be buckled up than any other age group. Properly fastened seat belts contact the strongest parts of the body, such as the chest, hips, and shoulders.  A seat belt spreads the force of a crash over a wide area of the body, putting less stress on any one part and allows the body to slow down with the crash, extending the time when the crash forces are felt by the occupant.

3.Passengers: Passengers in a teen’s car can lead to disastrous consequences. NHTSA research shows that the risk of a fatal crash goes up dramatically in direct relation to the number of passengers in a car. The likelihood of teen drivers engaging in risky behavior triples when traveling with multiple passengers.

4.Speed Limits: Limits are put in place to protect all road users.  Driving over the speed limit greatly reduces a driver’s ability to steer safely around another vehicle, a hazardous object or an unexpected curve.  According to NHTSA, young males are most likely to be involved in speed-related fatal crashes.

5.Impaired Driving: All teens are too young to legally buy, possess, or consume alcohol, but they are still at risk. Once a person takes a drink, impairment begins. Alcohol slows reflexes, weakens coordination, blurs eyesight, gives a false sense of being in control and leads to risky decision-making. Like alcohol, marijuana and other drugs also affect a driver’s ability to safely react to their surroundings.

6.Driving Drowsy: Between school and extracurricular activities, teens are busier than ever and tend to compromise something very important: sleep. According to NHTSA’s National Motor Vehicle Crash Causation Study, drowsy drivers are twice as likely to make performance errors in a crash as compared to drivers who are not fatigued.

Explaining the rules, restrictions outlined in Kentucky’s graduated driver licensing (GDL) law, and the deadly consequences of unsafe driving practices can help encourage teens to exhibit safe driving behaviors.

For more information about National Teen Driver Safety Week and to learn safe driving tips for your teens, please visit http://kyhighwaysafety.com and http://www.nhtsa.gov/road-safety/teen-driving

(provided by Kentucky Transportation Cabinet)

Paul Hitchcock earned his Masters in Communications from Morehead State University and Bachelors in Radio-TV/Psychology from Georgetown College. A veteran broadcaster for more than 40 years and an avid fan of blues, jazz and American roots music. Hitchcock has been with WMKY since 1986 and was named General Manager in 2003. He currently hosts "Muddy Bottom Blues" (Fri., 8pm-9pm), "Nothin' But The Blues" (Sat., 8pm-12am), "Sunday Night Jazz Showcase" and "Live From The Jazz Lounge" (Sun., 8pm-9pm) and "The Golden Age of Radio" (Sun., 2pm-3pm). He also serves as producer for "A Time For Tales" and "The Reader's Notebook."
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