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This morning we tackled a very important topic: keeping young drivers and teen drivers safe. Joining us on the show was Dr. Susan Evans, an NCAST board member and Chief Trauma Surgeon at Atrium Health, and Michelle O'Connor, president of O’Connor Insurance Associates.
North Carolina has a dynamic community of transportation safety advocates. The North Carolina Alliance for Safe Transportation (NCAST) was created to be that organization, with one goal in mind: reduce the number of transportation-related crashes, injuries and fatalities in North Carolina.
Many young drivers are at risk, and teen drivers are especially at risk on the roads, with vehicle crashes listed as one of the leading causes of death in America among people under the age of 21. It’s a staggering and sobering statistic. “As a trauma surgeon, I see every day the outcome of unsafe driving and crashes by teens” says Dr. Evans. She adds “teens are distracted while driving, some are not obeying traffic laws, and many have passengers distracting them, often times a friend of the person who is driving. I want to raise awareness and educate teens and their parents; that’s why NCAST host community forums across the state to hear directly from the public on their traffic safety concerns, ways to improve them, and how NCAST can help educate their community on better traffic safety.”
National Teen Driver Safety Week is next week, October 15th-21st. As part of NCAST’s commitment to change teen driving behavior behind the wheel and make them safer drivers, NCAST is launching a statewide awareness campaign. “As an insurance agent, I see time and time again parents submitting claims for their teen drivers when more education and awareness of the issue can really make a difference” says O’Connor. She adds “that’s why O’Connor Insurance Associates support NCAST’s campaign for teen driver safety week to raise awareness to teens and their parents. These insurance claims are very expensive and hit parents right in their pocketbook, plus no one wants to see them injured or worse as a result of a crash.”
NCAST also has other programs that teens and parents can get involved in:
-Tackling the problem of Distracted Driving
-Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Months
-Child Passenger Safety Week
-Targeted Safety Messaging for Communities Experiencing Increased Crash Rates
It’s imperative that are young drivers and all motorist are not distracted and adhering to the laws of the road. Don’t be a distracted driver or a distraction to the driver if you are a passenger.
NCAST strongly encourages people to take The Be Safe Pledge (which states) “I pledge to avoid distractions while driving and obey all traffic laws.” Help NCAST to change the narrative and save lives. Parents remember choosing the right vehicle is VERY IMPORANT! You can find the latest approved safe vehicles and more about keep young drivers and teen drivers safe at besafenc.org
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