Ohio SADD, Students Against Destructive Decisions, today asked that as our state and our country focus on the Covid 19 Health Crisis that we not forget the day to day safety concerns we all have as citizens. Teens are especially vulnerable to some issues such as traffic safety. The current stresses that this pandemic has brought to all citizens has a major impact on our teen population. The loss of contact with friends, concerns about school work, and the loss of those special activities, especially those who are about to graduate, weigh heavily on our teens. Ohio SADD wants to remind parents and teens that now is and especially important time to observe good traffic safety measures.
“Parents of Teen Drivers should remind their teen driver to make sure they keep their mind on the road while driving”, noted Teresa C. Carper, Ohio SADD Coordinator. “It is easy for all of us to become distracted with so much on our minds during this health crisis, and it is important to focus on the task of driving. This is not only for our general safety, but to also guard against the need for medical personnel during a crash and add to an already busy health system.”
April is generally designated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) as “Distracted Driving Awareness Month”. According to NHTSA, distracted driving claimed 2,841 lives in 2018. Teens are especially vulnerable due to their lack of experience in driving and the use of cell phones as a means of communication. In Ohio, teens are forbidden to use any kind of electronic equipment while behind the wheel and that includes stop signs and stop lights.
“The best thing we can do for our teen driver is to lead by example”, Carper noted. “Put down the phone, keep your hands on the wheel, and your mind on the road. Talk to your teen about the hazards of distracted driving and practice driving distraction free yourself.”
For more information on Students Against Destructive Driving in Ohio contact Teresa C. Carper, Ohio Coordinator, at tcarper@sadd.org. Make sure to follow us on Facebook and Twitter as well.