CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Teen drivers in the Queen City are getting involved and helping other young drivers become safer behind the wheel. The North Carolina Alliance of Safe Transportation is teaming up with teen drivers in Charlotte and stressing the importance of staying aware and avoiding distractions.
The pledge is called BeSafe and urges drivers to avoid distractions and to learn and obey all traffic laws.
“I just want to make sure that people are watching out for themselves and for others when they're in the car,” Rachel Still, a new driver and taking part in the pledge, said.
Charlie Hitt and Xamora Reed also took part in a social media push aiming to grab other teens' attention on the importance of safe driving.
All three understand how overwhelming driving can be for new drivers.
“It's very important to not just scroll on social media while you're driving, and just as make remain focused on the road,” Reed said.
“That along with other people in the car. But you know, it's we got to make sure that we support each other and keep each other in check and pay attention,” Hitt said.
Vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death in America among those under 21.
“It resonates more when it's coming, you know, from their friends when it's coming from their fellow peers," Tiffany Wright, the vice chair on NCAST's Board of Directors, said. "So I think that's why it's so important that they, they're the ones sending this message out, they're the ones sharing this message.”
“The ultimate goal is to save lives. We're losing too many lives on our roadways in North Carolina, not just teens, but everyone. So I think at the end of the day, our goal is to save lives,” Wright said.