Warmer weather means more people hitting the road and experts say that leads to more accidents and fatalities. Tricia Morrow is a Safety Engineer with Chevrolet.
“The period between Memorial Day and Labor Day is what Triple A refers to as the 100 Deadliest Days,” Morrow said. “It’s when the average number of fatal crashes involving teens climbs 15 percent compared to the rest of the year. And this isn’t the most dangerous time just for teens, summer is one of the dangerous times to be driving for everyone on the road.”
Morrow says the number of fatal accidents involving teens jumps 15 percent between Memorial Day and Labor Day.
She says into addition to abiding by the speed limit, the simple act of wearing a seatbelt can greatly reduce the number of fatalities.
“It’s really the number one thing that anyone can do in the vehicle to help themselves in a crash is to wear your seatbelt.”
Morrow says almost half of the deaths they see each year are due to occupants not wearing seatbelts.
Chevrolet safety experts recommend following a five-step model to ensure you and your children stay safe this summer:
Create awareness: Take the time to sit down with your loved ones and make sure they’re aware that car tragedies peak during the summer. Knowledge is key, so be sure the whole family knows the statistics and takes the time to get to know their rides, maintenance needs and in-vehicle technology.
Remember the basics: While newer vehicles offer advanced safety technologies, recent research from NHTSA shows that deaths resulting from speeding and lack of seatbelt use are on the rise. Just these two incredibly simple things – observing speed limits and always making sure everyone is wearing a seat belt – will help you and your family stay safe.
Remind your family to speak up: Encourage your children to speak up if they are in a situation where safe driving practices are not being demonstrated. Summer often means your kids will be in the car with friends and family without you. No matter what age your children are, they must know it’s OK to remove themselves from dangerous driving situations.
Put your phone away: We know it can be tempting to pick up your mobile device while in your vehicle, but don’t do it. Make use of your vehicle’s available connectivity features like Bluetooth and hands-free calling and keep your eyes on the road. And remember your kids are watching everything you do, so modeling good behavior helps them develop good driving behaviors, too.
Take advantage of all the tech available: Having a teen driver today can be extremely stressful, but thanks to some of the latest technology, it’s also filled with less uncertainty than it used to be. Vehicles today have the ability to provide a report card of your driving’s behaviors and send text alerts when your teen’s vehicle has gone outside of a pre-determined area. Vehicles also have features to help remind parents that they may have left something in the back seat. Making sure you’re aware of everything your car can do to help you keep your family safe is key.