Despite the fact that teenage drivers account for only six percent of the driving public, they are involved in a staggering 14 percent of all fatal car crashes. Two-thirds of the teenagers killed are male. Those numbers have also remained remarkably stable -- even allowing for population increases -- and are likely to remain so.
But that doesn't mean that there aren't steps that parents, schools, and government agencies can and should take to help keep teen drivers safe.
Parents can play an important role in reducing these numbers and keeping their teens alive.
The following are ways you can help keep teens safe on the road:
- Be a role model. If you expect your teen to drive safely, you need to drive safely, too.
- Always wear your seat belt.
- Don't drink and drive. Never allow any alcohol or illegal drugs in the car.
- Don't eat, drink, talk or text on your cell phone or do anything else that could distract you from your driving.
- Stay within the speed limit and obey all traffic signals.
Dr. Corinn Cross was born and raised in New Jersey. She attended Barnard College where she graduated cum laude and majored in philosophy. She went on to attend the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey in Newark, NJ, where she was selected for the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society. Dr. Cross did her internship and residency in pediatrics at Children's Hospital Los Angeles. Dr. Cross has continued to work at CHLA as a general pediatrics attending.