With warmer weather on the way and the school year coming to an end, we can expect to see more teen drivers on Texoma roadways. This also means, we can expect to see more crashes involving teen drivers. Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for teens and young people in the U.S. KFDX News Channel Three recently reported on the latest technology aimed at improving teen driver safety and preventing crashes. Busy Texoma parents can still keep track of their teen drivers’ safety during summer months. In their What the Tech segment, KFDX News Channel Three reported on the new Splitsecnd device. This device is kind of like Onstar, but you can put it in any vehicle. It plugs right into the 12-volt outlet.
Splitsecnd Device to Improve Teen Driver Safety
Not only does the Splitsecnd device have traditional safety features like contacting first responders in the event of a crash, it has a variety of other important features too. It has a “panic” button that will connect drivers directly to an emergency call center. It also has monitoring features that allow parents to keep a close eye on their teenage driver’s safety behind the wheel. Since it’s GPS enabled, parents can also get real-time updates on the vehicle’s location. You can also connect a smart phone to it, so you can see if your teen has been texting behind the wheel. At this time, the Splitsecnd device is about $150, and the monitoring costs an additional $16 a month.
U.S. Teen Crash Facts
- In 2013, 2,163 teens (between 16 and 19 years old) were killed in traffic crashes.
- Approximately 243,243 teens were treated in emergency rooms for car crash injuries in 2013.
- Compared with other age groups, teens have the lowest rate of seat belt use.
- 54 percent of teen deaths from motor vehicle crashes occurred on Friday, Saturday or Sunday.
Crashes Involving Teen Drivers in Texoma
Accident cases involving teen drivers can be complicated for investigators to sort out. Often times, there are a variety of factors involved including additional peer passengers, distractions, and other issues that increase risk for crashes where teen drivers are concerned. If you or your child has been injured in a crash involving another teen driver, contact the skilled team at the Altman Legal Group at 940-761-4000 for a free case consultation.