You’re twice as likely to crash if you text while driving.

That’s no joking matter. Today’s teenage and young adult drivers are faced with more distractions than ever. From cell phones, text messages, social media and countless apps that keep them busy, it is easier than ever for them to take their eyes off the road.

According to the government website Distraction.gov, in 2010, 3,092 people were killed in crashes involving a distracted driver, and an estimated 416,000 were injured in crashes involving a distracted driver.

At Bagwell Insurance Group, we want to help arm you with the data you need to educate your young driver, by talking to them, so that everyone is better prepared to hit the roadways.

What Can Parents Do?

• Don’t rely on driver education alone – Skills don’t matter as much as teens’ attitudes and decision-making. Most teens killed in crashes are not using their safety belt, and they tend to seek such thrills as speeding. Training and education don’t change these tendencies. But you can. Get involved, And make a potentially life-saving difference.
• Know the law – Learn about restrictions on young drivers. Enforce the rules. Read more about the teen driving laws in Georgia.
• Restrict night driving – Since most young drivers’ fatal accidents happen between 9pm – 12am, they shouldn’t drive too much later than 9pm.
• Restrict passengers – Teen passengers in a vehicle can distract a beginning driver and increase risk-taking. That’s dangerous for everyone. About 6 out 10 teenage passenger fatalities occur in crashes with teen drivers.
• Supervise practice driving – Practice a variety of situations, including night driving. Gradually work up to driving in heavytraffic or on the freeway. Spread practice sessions over at least six months, and keep it up after they have their license.
• Be a good role model – New drivers learn by example, so drive safely. Teens with accidents and violations often have parents with poor driving records.
• Make them buckle up – Just because you make your teenager wear a seat belt when you’re in the car doesn’t mean they will when vou’re not there. Make it a rule, and enforce rt.

The Cold Hard Facts

Mile for mile, teenage drivers are at greatest risk of being involved in motor vehicle accidents, Sixteen-year-olds, who have the least driving experience and tend to take chances, are particularly vulnerable, Below are some characteristics of fatal crashes involving 16-year-old drivers. Percentage of fatal crashes by characteristic, 2006:

Compared to other drivers, fatal accidents involving 16-year-olds are more likely to:

• be the result of driver error
• involve speeding
• involve a single vehicle
• occur when other teens are in the car

The fatal crash rate of 16-year-olds is about twice as high at night compared with during the day and most teenagers killed in crashes aren’t using their safety belts.