It’s the dog days of summer and another school year is around the corner. There are more teenagers on the road than ever. Unfortunately, automobile crashes are the leading cause of death for teens in the United States (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). According to the most recent statistics published by the CDC, there were 2,333 teen deaths and over 220,000 injuries in 2015 caused by motor vehicle accidents. Our personal injury attorneys Wichita, KS know how these horrible accidents can devastate the lives of families. There are several things teens can do to make the road safer for themselves and others.
Our Personal Injury Attorneys Wichita Want to Keep You Safe
Obey Traffic Laws
Teens are inexperienced drivers, which means they need to be extra safe behind the wheel. Don’t take unnecessary risks in traffic, check your mirrors, drive the speed limit, and drive defensively. Driving isn’t a game. Be courteous to other drivers. Don’t follow too close, cut-off those who are trying to merge, or engage in high speed races fueled by road rage.
Don’t Text and Drive
Keep your eyes on the road! Texting while driving is extremely dangerous. Texting takes your attention from the road for at least 5 seconds at a time – even “quickly” reading a text. In these 5 seconds your vehicle is traveling the length of a football field. Other types of distracted driving involve talking to passengers, applying makeup, eating, talking on the phone, and using other mobile devices.
Don’t Drink and Drive
This goes without saying. Never, ever mix alcohol while operating a vehicle. It can result in the death of yourself, another driver, jail time, and/or the loss of your driver’s license for the foreseeable future.
Wear a Seat Belt
Nearly 70 percent of all teens killed in traffic accidents were not wearing a seat belt. When you get behind the wheel of an automobile, the first thing to do is buckle up. Passengers in the front and backseat should also wear a seat belt.
If you have been involved in an automobile accident, please contact our personal injury attorneys Wichita for a free consultation. The auto accident attorneys of Lee Gurney have over 90 years of combined experience in successful litigation. Our personal injury attorneys Wichita are ready to fight hard for your case!