In October, 2013, the U.S. Department of Transportation launched a new campaign directed toward parents of teen drivers. The "5 To Drive" campaign is geared to educate teens on driver safety, and prompt parents to have honest discussions with their teenage children about safe driving. The campaign gives a simple, straightforward checklist which hopefully will prevent an auto accident before it happens. The 5 points are:
1. no cell phone use or texting while driving.
2. no extra passengers.
3. no speeding.
4. no drinking.
5. no driving without a seat belt.
The list is designed to address poor driving conduct among teens which causes high rates of highway accidents, injuries, and wrongful death. Troubling statistics compiled in 2011 include: over half of teen accident fatalities were not wearing seat belts; 12% of teen drivers involved in fatal accidents were distracted at the time; speeding contributed to 35% of fatal teen crashes.
Dulaney, Lauer & Thomas supports this initiative. Over the years, we've handled scores of serious accident cases caused by teen drivers (resulting in serious injury or wrongful death) in Winchester, Front Royal, Haymarket, Warrenton, and other locales in the Virginia Piedmont. For more information on this campaign, please go to www.safercar.gov/parents/teendriving.
