May is Global Youth Safety Month
21 May 2018
The National Organization for Youth Safety (NOYS), is an organization dedicated to creating partnerships designed to “save lives, prevent injuries, and promote safe and healthy lifestyles among all youth.” The organization has designated the month of May as a month as Global Youth Traffic Safety Month.
Global Youth Traffic Safety Month began in 2007 as part of a partnership project with that National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in support of their initiative: United Nations Global Road Safety Week, which promotes safety for all on global roadways.
Why Global Youth Traffic Safety Month?
Vehicle accidents remain the leading cause of U.S. deaths for people between the ages of 15 and 20. In fact, nearly 1,700 young drivers died in 2013 as a result of auto accidents and an additional 177,00 were injured.
Considering drivers in this age group only account for six percent of drivers on the roadways yet are involved in 13 percent of all accidents and nine percent of all fatal accidents on the roads today, and the need for intense effort on youth traffic safety is apparent.
Everyone has a vested interest in promoting greater safety among teen drivers and NOYS is leading the way with the creation of Global Youth Traffic Safety Month.
Did you know…
- Speeding was a factor in 31 percent of teen driver fatalities in the year 2016?
- Alcohol was a factor in 20 percent of fatal accidents involving teen drivers in 2016?
- The risks of fatal crashes per mile driven is nearly three times greater for drivers between the ages of 16 and 19 than for drivers aged 20 and older?
- In 2015, six teens, between the ages of 16 and 19 died each day from auto accident injuries.
It’s a grim picture. One NOYS is attempting to change. But, it takes a larger effort to effect global change of this nature, which is where parents can help. These are things you can do in your own home to encourage safer teen driving.
Be the Example
Obey speed limit laws. Don’t use your mobile phone for texting while driving. Use hands-free methods for talking on the phone while driving. Avoid other distractions while driving whenever possible.
Install GPS Tracking on Vehicles Your Teen Drives
GPS tracking for teen drivers can be instrumental in allowing you to monitor your teen’s behaviors behind the wheel. Not only can you establish geofencing technology to alert you when your teen goes beyond certain geographic limits, but you can also set up alerts to notify you of excessive speeds, hard braking, swerving, and other behaviors behind the wheel, allowing you to address problems immediately.
Teen safety is an enormous concern for everyone, especially parents of teen drivers. In light of the startling statistics mentioned above, it’s a good idea to use the month of May as an opportunity to have another conversation with your teen driver about safety.
If you’re a parent of a new or soon-to-be new teen driver, give us a call here at LiveViewGPS to learn more about getting a GPS tracking device for your teen.
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