Personal injury lawyers on safe driving and teen car crashes

Over Labor Day weekend near the Pocono Mountains in Northeast Pennsylvania, three teens died in a tragic SUV crash. According to NBC 10 Philadelphia news reports, an unlicensed 15-year-old girl was behind the wheel of the SUV.

The three teens that were killed in the car accident were all sophomores at Council Rock High School South in Holland, Pennsylvania. The driver was injured in the crash, as well as a 16-year-old girl and a 15-year-old boy. The Wayne County DA reported that the girl picked up everyone in the SUV to go to breakfast. A witness said the SUV was traveling at a high rate of speed before flipping over at a curve in the road.

This crash is a parent’s worst nightmare and an all too common occurrence with teen drivers. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), reports that eight teens a day are killed in car crashes. Car crashes are the number one killer of teens, taking about 2,800 young lives every year. According to the CDC, the main cause of teen crashes is driver inexperience.

The Pennsylvania personal injury lawyers at Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys say talk to your teens about the risks of teen driving:

• Crash risk goes up when teens drive with other teens in the car. Nearly two out of three teen crash deaths involving 16-year-old drivers happen when a driver has one or more teen passengers. Know who your teen is with when driving and limit passengers.
• Nighttime fatal crash rates for 16-year-olds are nearly twice as high as daytime rates. Restrict your teens from being on the road too late.
• Distractions increase your teen’s risk of being in a crash. Talk to them about the dangers of cell phone use, texting, eating and other distractions when driving.
• Discuss the hazards of speeding and other reckless driving. Talk honestly about the real tragedy that can happen if your teen does not follow posted speed limit signs and other driver safety rules.
• Talk to your teen about the consequences of drinking and driving. Set rules and demand they follow them.
• Talk to your teen about the importance of seat belt use. Simply using a seat belt on every trip can reduce your teen’s risk of dying or being badly injured in a crash.

As a parent, the most important thing you can do is lead by example. Your children drive with you and see what you are doing. Drive free from distractions, use your seat belt at all times and follow all posted speed limit and other road signs. Practice safe driving at all times. Discuss all of the rules of the road with your teen, and drive with them as often as you can. The more experience they have behind the wheel with you in the car, the safer they will drive. Discuss why your driving rules are so important, and the consequences of breading them. Most importantly, set rules and be sure to enforce them.

The Pennsylvania car accident lawyers at Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys encourage safe driving for everyone at all times. Following the rules of the road can prevent tragedy for families. Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys has represented thousands of victims of car, truck, bus and motorcycle accidents. For a free consultation with the personal injury lawyers at Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys, call 855-866-5529.