It’s spring. It’s prom season. While the flowers bloom, and spring cleaning helps us get out of the winter doldrums, there is also danger in the air, especially for teenage drivers and those around them. Considering that motor vehicle accidents are the number one cause of teenage death, and 90% of motor vehicle accidents are the result of driving behavior, prom season is a good time to focus on the dangerous side of proms.
Saveyourteendriver.com claims it’s the most important website for young people. Nine teenagers are dying every day in motor vehicle accidents. They believe that 90% of all accidents are related to the behavior of the teenager, not the driving ability.
Prom season is the most dangerous season for the most vulnerable drivers, and passengers. The following are tips from the experts.
Tips for Teens
- Don’t drive on prom night. Many towns have busses. Chip in for a car service or pay an older responsible sibling if necessary.
- Follow the rules in any vehicle – don’t put more than the legally allowed number of people in. And, if you are in a private vehicle, work with the driver to determine the number that he or she feels safe with.
- Wear a seat belt. Princess Diana didn’t. Failure to wear a seat belt leads to over 12,000 deaths per year.
- While in the vehicle, focus on how to help the driver – don’t encourage sudden outbursts, keep the volume down. The road is dangerous enough without the driver being subjected to difficult passengers.
- No alcohol for drivers. Period. Don’t calculate how much over what period of time. Zero. Alcohol is a part of over 10,000 deaths each year on the road; and 350,000 injuries. Ryan Dunn, star of TV show “Jackass” had a blood alcohol level of twice the legal limit (.196 was his BAC at death).
- Don’t be afraid to call a parent, family member or school official if you think there may be a problem. Be part of the solution.
- Don’t allow any horseplay, including racing.
- No texting. Everyone should participle in assisting the driver from becoming distracted. It can wait.
- Have the music planned out; don’t allow the driver to change the music in response to requests by passengers. It’s distracting.
- Attend the “Prom Till Dawn” if your school provides one. This keeps teenagers inside, with various planned activities all night long.
Racing Causes Wrongful Death
In a recent accident in Harwich, on Cape Cod, two teenagers were racing along Route 6 when one lost control of his BMW sport utility vehicle which rolled over and crashed into a tree. His injuries were fatal. How did this happen? Was he drunk? Not likely. It looks like there were two vehicles, racing. Both drivers were 18 and recent graduates of Barnstable High School. The surviving driver is facing criminal charges for speeding, reckless driving, and racing.
How many teenagers are the victims of rollovers in sport utility vehicles? We have written about this subject enough to believe it’s high.
Retain Experienced Boston Car Accident Lawyer Neil Burns
Attorney Neil Burns has been representing victims of motor vehicle negligence in car accidents since 1985; some from prom night accidents, unfortunately. The consultation is free. There is no fee until he wins monies for you and your family. Call 617-227-7423.