Sunshine Sentinel

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Attorney General Ashley Moody is urging parents to speak with their teens about safe driving ahead of the 100 Deadliest Days. Between Memorial Day and Labor Day, seven people a day die from accidents incurred by teenaged motorists. At a news conference with the Florida Department of Transportation in Gainesville this week, Attorney General Moody urged parents and guardians to play an active role in safeguarding their teens and equipping them with the necessary tools for responsible driving.

Attorney General Ashley Moody said, “As parents, we worry about our children’s safety. Our kids face many dangers, but one of the scariest things they do is get behind the wheel. The 100 Deadliest Days pose a significant risk to teenaged drivers and all those who share the road with them. That’s why I am encouraging parents to talk with their teens about safe driving habits and join us in this vital effort to protect our roadways and safe lives.”

According to the American Automobile Association, for every mile driven, new teen drivers are three times more likely to be involved in a deadly crash compared to adults. During the 100 Deadliest Days, teenaged drivers face a higher risk of accidents. Teens are out from school for the summer, have more free time on the road, and may engage in risky behaviors more often like speeding, texting or having teenaged passengers. Teens are two-and-a-half times more likely to engage in potentially risky behavior when driving with a teenaged peer versus driving alone.

Parents and guardians can help keep their teens safe behind the wheel by:

• Having frequent conversations with children about the importance of safe driving and the potential consequences of irresponsible actions;
• Setting a good example;
• Establishing clear rules including curfew times, limiting the number of passengers and restricting cellphone use while driving;
• Emphasizing the importance of seat belt usage; and
• Enrolling a teen in comprehensive driver education programs—whether in-person or online.

To view additional video from FDOT at the news conference, click here.

For more information and tips for helping teens drive safely, click here.

Original source can be found here.