California Campaign To Help Prevent Teen Deaths
Posted by
Rick PattersonApril 19, 2008 3:05 PMTags:
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Between the California Highway Patrol, California Teachers Association, state legislators and other groups California is working hard to bring public awareness to all in an effort to reduce the number of deaths of teenage drivers. Teen Driving Safety Week began this week.
At one time, there was in-car drivers’ training in public high schools. Due to budget cuts, now only one in three schools offer such a program to their students. We need to think about where our priorities are. Think about the fact that a high school soccer player may receive as much as 1,500 hours of coached soccer practice compared to a mere 50 hours of driving practice prior to obtaining a license to drive. Truth is stranger than fiction comes to mind here.
More than 7 in 10 16 year-old drivers are at fault in California vehicle accidents. And 4 in 10 deaths of teens are as a result of traffic accidents. The numbers speak for themselves. According to California Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell "the fatal crash risk per mile driven by 16-year-olds is twice that of 18-year-olds and about seven times the risk of drivers ages 30-59."
The group, Impact Teen Drivers delivers awareness, has delivered more than 15,000 packets of classroom materials to public high schools in California. The aim is to teach teens the impact and consequences of driving while distracted. The CHP also plays a vital role as explained by CHP spokeswoman Barbara Upham. Her Santa Rosa office holds a free two-hour safe driving course each month. Additionally, CHP officers give weekly safe driving presentations in health education and drivers' education classes at local high schools.
Parents can play a vital role also. If your child does not show responsibility and restraint while driving. Please, take the car away before a life is taken away.
Additional Information Pertaining to Automobile Accidents