Keep New Drivers Safe – 100 Deadliest Days For Teens On The Road

Read Lauren’s article in Parade Magazine here and be sure to check out other great articles written by Lauren Fix, The Car Coach®, featured in Parade Magazine!

Memorial Day marks the start of a period commonly known as the “ 100 deadliest days ” for teens on the road. Why is this?

One-third of teens are driving while drowsy and nearly one in 10 have completely fallen asleep at the wheel while driving. Driving to and from events late at night can lure new drivers into thinking they can make it when they should not drive when tired.

• 27 percent of teens today still report texting and driving, a bigger concern is that two out of three teens (68 percent) admit to using apps while driving. No matter how much we tell ALL drivers how dangerous texting while driving is, drivers are still making poor judgments. Set a GREAT example – put your phone away and keep your hand on the wheel!
• While 41 percent explicitly state that using navigation apps while driving is dangerous or distracting, 58 percent report using them on the road. Set your destination before you go and do not drive away until you hit start on your navigation app.
• 64 percent of teens say that using music apps while driving is dangerous or distracting, but nearly half (46 percent) still admit to using them in the car. Set up you tunes before you go. These are habits that need to be learned and we set the example for our young drivers.
• 87 percent of parents say the enforce texting and driving rules, but 50 percent knowingly text their teen while their teen is driving. It can wait – have your new driver contact you if they pull off the road or reach their destination. Don’t be the cause of a distraction!

Consider free teen driving schools that are designed to help your teens be better drivers.  Almost every auto manufacturer offers them for FREE.