Mourning Parents ACT, Inc.

It is officially CT Safe Teen Driving Awareness Week -- Day 2.

Did you know that in 2010 Connecticut had 298 confirmed fatalities from distracted driving? That is 298 mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, sisters, brothers, uncles, aunts, grandparents and friends that never made it home to their families. All because someone took their eyes off of the road for a second to do something that really was not that important at all in the scheme of things: Check out a text, pick up a dropped mascara, find a good song on the iPod, feed the baby a French fry, or towel up a spilled drink. Are we really “dying to do” these things? If it can’t wait until you get to your destination, please pull over and take care of it. Just tell them when you finally get there, “Better late than never,” because it is true.

It is officially CT Safe Teen Driving Awareness Week -- Day 3.

Getting a driver's license is a rite of passage for teenagers, but it also marks the start of their most dangerous years on the road. Teen drivers have much higher crash rates than adults. Fortunately, there are ways parents can help to reduce the risks. This video highlights the stories of three teens whose lives ended too soon and examines common factors such as inexperience, immaturity, and speeding that lead to many crashes involving young, novice drivers.

Teens interviewed speak frankly about their driving habits. They recount crashes and near misses. They describe minding their manners when grown-ups are along for the ride but relaxing the rules when they're with friends.

Institute experts provide insight into the crucial role parents play by enforcing their state's graduated licensing laws, establishing their own rules, and providing plenty of supervised time behind the wheel. This truly is a must see video for all new drivers and their parents.

Young Drivers, the High Risk Years

It is officially CT Safe Teen Driving Awareness Week – Day 4.

The Physics of Car Crashes  --  Do you know how violent motor vehicle crashes are? That many motor vehicle deaths are caused by blunt force trauma? That when a vehicle hits another object there are three impacts?

       1) The first impact involves the vehicle and whatever it hits, bringing the vehicle to a stop. But the bodies of the driver and passengers continue to travel at the same rate of speed the car was travelling before it came to a stop.

      2) The second impact is the body slamming into whatever stops it. Hopefully it is a seat belt and an airbag. But it might be the dash board, the windshield, the steering wheel, another person in the vehicle. Those in the front seat are fortunate if the people in the rear are buckled. Otherwise the rear passengers act as catapults causing the second impact to have all that much more force.

       3) The third impact involves internal vital organs, which are still travelling at that same rate of speed. The heart, lungs, liver and spleen slam into the sternum and rib cage. The brain crashes into the skull, first in front and then back. Connecting blood vessels are stretched or detached.
 

Please drive as if your life depends on it… because it really does.

Day Five

It is officially CT Safe Teen Driving Awareness Week -- Day 5.

Dear Parents:

We know you would never transport your child without a seatbelt. They are such precious cargo! So how can we just hand them over the car keys without making sure that they are as protected as possible? We are the still the ultimate managers of our teens driving experience. As such, we need to arm ourselves with these facts:

• Crashes Kill Teens: Motor vehicle crashes are the #1 cause of death for 15-19 year olds. Most teen crashes occur during the first two years of having their license. The first six months are most dangerous for the newly-licensed teen. Provide as much supervised practice as you can during the licensing period.

• Brain Development: Research shows that the portion of the brain that assesses risk and danger does not fully develop until the mid 20’s. Teens are risk-takers, lacking the experience, judgment and maturity to recognize many potentially hazardous situations.

• Passenger Restrictions: Enforce at home state laws on passenger restrictions. Crash risk goes up when teens drive with other teens in the car. This risk also increases with the number of passengers, whether siblings, family or friends, in the vehicle.

• Restrict Night Driving: Fatal crashes are more likely to occur at night. Young drivers are at higher risk for drowsy driving, which causes thousands of crashes each year. Enforce the state curfew.

• It’s the Law - Require Your Teen to Buckle Up: Teens have the lowest rate of seatbelt use. The simplest way to prevent car crash deaths and serious injuries is to buckle up.

• No Drinking and Driving: Connecticut has a Zero-Tolerance Law for teens drinking and driving. Even one drink impairs a teen’s driving ability and increases the risk of a crash. Be a good role model: Don’t drink and drive, and reinforce this message with your teens.

• Teach Your Teen About Distracted Driving: Talking on the phone or with passengers, texting, dialing radio stations, unrestrained pets and other distracting activities in the car increase the risk of a serious crash.

• Vehicle Selection Matters: Avoid having your teen drive high performance vehicles or older model vehicles that lack improved safety technologies.

• Financial Liability: Make your teen aware of the financial consequences of a crash or a citation, including higher family insurance rates and liability for injuries or damage.

• Know Connecticut Teen Driving Laws: The teen driving laws are explained in this brochure. More information, including teens-talking-to teens videos created as part of the DMV teen safe driving video contest, can be found at ct.gov/teendriving.

• Get Involved: Be a role model. Establish your own household rules and consequences. Stick to them no matter the hassle you receive from your teens. Your determination could save their lives.

It is officially CT Safe Teen Driving Awareness Week -- Day 6.

Dear Young Driver:

We know that you are not thrilled about CT’s new Passenger Restrictions: 

-During the first six months the newly licensed driver may not have any passengers in the vehicle except for: A licensed driving instructor; or her parents or legal guardian, at least one of whom holds a valid driver’s license; or One person who is at least 20 years old.
 -During the second six months (months seven through twelve) the only additional passengersallowed in the vehicle are members of the driver’s immediate family.

But please don’t try to wear us parents down with the excuse that everyone else is doing it, or that Johnny’s parents said it’s OK with them if he rides with you. The law is in place to not only protect you, but also your siblings and your friends. Crash risk goes up when teens drive with other teens in the car. This risk also increases with the number of passengers, whether siblings, family or friends. They are distractions and you need to concentrate on the task of learning the ins and outs of driving that only experience can give you…uninterrupted by passengers. We want you to enjoy your new found freedom on the road, but please… take your time learning during this first year, so that you may have the rest of your life to enjoy it!