As the school year comes to an end, the month of May is recognized as National Youth Traffic Safety Month.
The campaign is a nationwide effort to raise awareness about road safety for young drivers and promote safe driving habits.
Traffic crashes are a leading cause of death for teens 15-18 years old. According to the 2023 Alabama Crash Facts, there were 86 fatal crashes for teenagers aged 15-19 in Alabama alone. That is a nearly 8% increase from the year prior.
The Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) is looking to raise awareness on youth traffic safety and lower that statistic.
Teenagers’ inexperience in the driver’s seat makes them more vulnerable to crashes. Distracted driving, not wearing a seat belt, speeding and alcohol and drug use are some of the largest risks teenagers face behind the wheel.
ALDOT’s Tips for Teens
- Wear your seatbelt: Before the vehicle is moved out of park, make sure you and every single passenger is buckled up. In 2023, almost 60% of all fatalities in Alabama were not restrained by a seatbelt. In contrast, over 98% of people involved in crashes but not harmed were reported to have been wearing their seatbelts.
- Don’t drive distracted: While cell phones are the primary distraction for teen drivers, it isn’t the only thing taking eyes off the road. Eating or drinking, adjusting the GPS or radio and cutting up with other passengers are also distractions. To combat cell phone usage, Alabama has the Hands-Free Law to decrease distracted driving.
- Don’t speed: Following posted speed limits increases the reaction time inexperienced drivers may need to avoid a crash and make roads safer for everyone. Of the 897 total fatal crashes in 2023, 124 were directly contributed to speeding.
For more information on safety, statistics and the latest driving laws, visit www.drivesafealabama.org.
