Prom season presents safety challenges

Dear Editor,

With the approach of the spring prom season, parents need to be aware that this joyful time of year for high school juniors and seniors also presents special safety challenges.

A recently published study drives home the message that teenage drivers and their passengers are in a high-risk group for vehicle crashes.

The study published in the Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine confirmed that vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for youngsters and teenagers.

It also identified failure to buckle up, inexperience and speed as major contributors to the high number of crash deaths among teens.

The study focused on 10,000 child passengers who were killed during the period covered by the study. Fifty-four percent of those killed were riding with a teen driver, and nearly two of every three killed were not buckled up.

The junior and senior prom experience often includes teens riding together to events with one of their peers behind the wheel.

The recently published study found the risk of death for youngsters riding as passengers with drivers aged 16 to 19 was at least twice as high as that of those riding with adult drivers.

Young passengers riding with drivers aged 16 to 19 were killed at a rate of four per 1,000 crashes, while the rate for those riding with drivers 25 and older was two per 1,000 crashes.

The underlying lesson we can learn from this study is for parents to educate and supervise their teenagers. Avoid as much as possible allowing them to drive or ride with other teens. Teach them to always buckle up and provide a good example by doing so yourself.

Make certain they know about the dangers of driving while under the influence and of speeding.

In 2006, a total of 74 drivers ages 15 to 20 were killed in non-pedestrian vehicle crashes in Louisiana – representing almost 11 percent of all drivers killed in our state. Boys aged 18 to 20 have proven themselves to be considerably more dangerous behind the wheel than their female counterparts. In 2006, 48 male drivers in that age group were killed compared to 12 female drivers.

Many of these tragic deaths were preventable. As parents you are in a better position than anybody else to ensure that your teenagers know and obey the rules of the road. Setting a good example, education and supervision are keys to keeping your teen drivers safe while in a vehicle.

Lt. Col. John LeBlanc,

Executive Director, Louisiana Highway Safety Commission

Governor’s Highway Safety Representative