Texting, Speeding and Alcohol...Oh My!

Recent articles in several local and national newspapers have highlighted a report by the Texas Transportation Institute citing our state’s rate of fatal teen car crashes is dropping faster here than anywhere in the US. The experts have noted these results are most likely from a combination of a graduated driver’s license and initiatives that gets teens talking to their peers about the risks of driving.

This study lists the top three causes of teen crashes as: night driving, speeding and distracted driving (such as texting, talking on the phone, gabbing with friends etc). Alcohol involved crashes have dropped to the 5th reason. Nationwide, more than 6000 teens die in car crashes every year. That’s the same as one commercial jet loaded with teens crashing once a week for an entire year.

In my house I’m down to my fourth and final teen driver. The three before her had varying degrees of what I might consider successful teen driving years. Success being defined as no injuries or deaths. Well, no human deaths. Let’s see, collectively, my children have totaled three cars, mangled one pipe fence, taken out a small pack of coyotes, smashed a train crossing gate, a stand up freezer and removed several small trees in a wooded area. The majority of these incidences occurred before Texas enacted the rules of the graduated driver’s license. This law places limits on the newest drivers, and “gradually” adds more privileges as the teen’s driving experience increases.

Another reason for the state’s drop in crashes is communication. Apparently just talking about the dangers of driving makes teens more cautiously aware of their risks. So keep talking to your teens.

Let them know that 64% of teen fatal crashes were not wearing seat belts. Motor vehicle crashes are still the LEADING cause of death for teens in the U.S. Tell them lawmakers this year outlawed the use of cellphones by young drivers, AND starting in September, Texas passed a new law prohibiting the use of a wireless communication device within a school crossing zone for ANY age. While you are talking with them, remind them that the risk of collision is 23 times greater for those drivers who are texting at the same time. And that percentage is the same for all drivers.

So keep conversing with your teens and their friends. I know I’m talking with my last teen a lot more about safe driving. I have even overheard her talking to her best friend about wearing her seat belt in the back seat. So, I know she is listening, even if she does roll her eyes and exhale frequently.

Mary Ann Contreras, RN
Trauma Injury Prevention Coordinator