Nearly 11,000 teenagers are injured on North Carolina roadways each year, and more than 100 are killed.
These wrecks are preventable, and we all know how: We have to dedicate ourselves to good driving habits every moment we’re behind the wheel.
That’s the message we carry as part of the NC Alliance for Safe Transportation’s Teen Ambassador program – a new advocacy effort enlisting young drivers to save young drivers.
The program launched last year in partnership with the NC High School Athletic Association, and 150 students signed up from all across the state. This year we hope to see the program grow. The most active student advocates can win $1,000 college scholarships, and we were among last year’s six scholarship winners.
According to the CDC, motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of death for teenagers in this country. Drivers aged 16–19 are three times more likely to die in a crash than drivers 20 and older.
And nearly 50% of North Carolina teens who died in crashes the last few years weren’t wearing their seatbelts!
But seat belts are other safe driving habits are hugely important for adults, too. The average vehicle these days weighs 4,400 pounds, and piloting one is a huge responsibility regardless of age or experience.
So drive safe. And, as a passenger, if you see someone behaving irresponsibly, say something. It won’t be as hard, or as awkward, as you think. Everyone knows they shouldn’t text or even hold a phone in their hand while driving. Everyone knows they shouldn’t drink and drive, that they shouldn’t speed, and that they should always wear a seatbelt.
But a little peer pressure helps, and when we have these conversations we aren’t just spreading safety, we’re learning how to lead.
Adults: Don’t let young people see you driving too fast, or ignoring traffic laws, texting or holding your phone, or going down the road without your seatbelt. It may not look like it, but we are paying attention, and we’re depending on you to model good driving behavior.
If you catch yourself doing any of these things with kids in the car, be upfront about it. Say out loud: “I’m going too fast. I’m going to slow down.” If you have children, encourage them to call you out: “Mom, please put your phone down. You know it’s not safe.”
To our younger peers: The future is ours … until it isn’t. Don’t put your life in danger by getting in the car with someone who isn’t doing what they should be. Don’t be embarrassed to speak up. It’s a lot easier than having to come up with something to say at a friend’s funeral.
Bad driving is unacceptable. Don’t accept it.
Sydney Martin, Senior, Central Cabarrus High School
Aylin McGowan, Senior, Carrboro High School
Kyle Stinson, Freshman, North Carolina State University
Martin, McGowan and Stinson are teen ambassadors for the nonprofit NC Alliance for Safe Transportation.
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