Last Wednesday, teens in Archer City participated in an event to help raise awareness about the dangers of distracted driving. According to KFDX News Channel 3, officials with the Texas Department of Transportation (TXDOT) brought a distracted driving simulator to a school in Archer City. Students were able to simulate various distracted driving situations from behind the wheel of a special pickup truck. The truck was hooked up to a sophisticated computer system with video game interface technology.
Distracted Driving Prevention in Archer City
Each student got behind the wheel of the pickup truck and tried to navigate through distracted driving situations. TXDOT Traffic Safety Specialist Tish Beaver was on hand to show teens just how easy it is for distractions to cause car crashes. She is quick to point out that distracted drivers cause one in five crashes. Beaver also reports that this simulator is important because it shows teen drivers that they really can’t multi-task behind the wheel. Whether it’s the addition of peer passengers or smart phones, distracted driving is a recipe for disaster.
Teen Driver Safety
Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for teens between the ages of 14 and 18 years old. The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) offers the parents of teen drivers a variety of resources to increase roadway safety. Through extensive research, the NHTSA has come up with five rules that address the largest safety concerns associated with teen drivers. Listed below are the “5 to Drive” rules for teens.
“5 to Drive” Rules For Teens
- No cell phone use or texting while driving.
- No extra passengers.
- No speeding.
- No alcohol.
- No driving or riding without a seat belt.
Although car crashes are the number-one cause of death for teens, a recent survey found that only about 25 percent of parents have had a serious talk with their children about the key components of safe driving. Officials with the NHTSA are hoping the “5 to Drive” rules will help parents to open a dialogue with their teen drivers. Additionally, parents are encouraged to have their teen drivers sign safe driving contracts to help hold them accountable.
If a distracted teen driver has injured you or somebody you love, contact the skilled team at the Altman Legal Group at 940-761-4000 for a free case consultation today.