Oct. 18-24 is National Teen Driver Safety Week

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), auto accidents are the number one cause of death for teenagers in the United States. In Wisconsin alone, 50 teens were killed and another 5,000 were injured in auto accidents in 2014.

In an effort to focus on the need for teen safety while behind the wheel, the NHTSA designates the third week of October as National Teen Driver Safety Week. This year it will be recognized Oct. 18-24 and the theme is 5 to Drive.

The 5 to Drive campaign provides five guidelines for teen safety while behind the wheel. Parents are encouraged to talk with their teen drivers about the following guidelines and use them as enforcement guidelines in your home.

Always Wear a Seatbelt Seatbelts save lives. Remind your teen of the importance of wearing a seatbelt every time they are driving or riding as a passenger in a vehicle. as with any routine or repeat behavior, putting on a seatbelt every time they get in the car will soon become second nature. Set an example for your teen by doing the same.

Put the Phone Down Anything that pulls a drivers attention away from the road greatly increases his or her risk of being involved in an accident. Make it clear to your teen that their cellphone is off-limits while they are driving. They should not be texting, making a phone call, checking Facebook or surfing the web while behind the wheel.

Do Not Speed Parents should follow the speed limit to set an example for their teens to follow. Make sure your teen understands that each time your speed doubles, your stopping distance is quadrupled.

Limit Passengers Studies show that teens are more likely to be distracted and to engage in risky behaviors with passengers in the vehicle. Set a rule with your teen that no more than one passenger should be in their vehicle at a time.

Do Not Drink and Drive Remind your teen that the drinking age is 21 and that they should never get behind the wheel of a vehicle after they have been drinking.

Follow these five guidelines to help your teen develop safe driving habits from the very first time they receive the keys.

If your teen is injured in an auto accident, turn to the injury attorneys Milwaukee, WI that you can trust to get the justice you deserve.

Call  414-333-3333 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form today.