Talk to your teens about dangers of driving

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Sleeping in, hanging out by the pool, and earning a little extra money are popular summertime activities for teenagers.

Unfortunately, traffic accidents are also a common occurrence among teens in the summer. The National Work Zone Safety Information Clearinghouse reports that on average, 422 teenagers die in traffic crashes during each of the summer months, compared to an average of 363 teen deaths during non-summer months.

As summer break begins, those at Indiana Electric Cooperatives remind parents to talk to their teens about safety hazards associated with driving. “Only 25 percent of parents have had a serious talk with their children about the key components of driving,” said Rick Coons, CEO at Indiana Electric Cooperatives. “We especially encourage parents to discuss safe driving practices that are related to electricity.”

Car crashes are the leading cause of death for American teens, according to a 2013 report from EHS Today, a magazine for environmental, health and safety management professionals. Inexperience in vehicle control skills, the willingness to take risks and a poor ability to anticipate and identify hazards are among the factors that contribute to teen car crashes.

Situations such as severe weather and actions of other drivers can create additional roadway safety hazards. “Various incidents, including strong winds and automobile accidents involving utility poles, can cause power lines to fall across roadways,” said NAME OF PERSON AT CO-OP. “This is potentially a very dangerous situation, as downed lines can still be energized.”

Drivers should follow these safety tips if they encounter downed power lines on roadways:

  • Do not drive over downed lines.
  • If your vehicle is in contact with a downed line, stay in your car and call 911.
  • If the vehicle is on fire, jump out of the vehicle with both feet together and avoid contact with the vehicle and ground at the same time. This allows you to avoid being the path of electricity from the vehicle to the earth.
  • Shuffle away with small steps, keeping your feet together and on the ground at all times to minimize the potential for a strong electric shock.

A power outage can affect drivers because it can cause traffic lights to stop working. The Indiana driver’s manual states that if approaching an intersection with a non-operating signal, drivers should stop before entering the intersection. After stopping, drivers should yield the right-of-way to cross-traffic and then proceed with caution.

The National Work Zone Safety Information Clearinghouse reports that an average of seven teens are injured in work zones every day. One teen is killed every three days in a roadway work zone crash.

All drivers, especially those with less experience, should remember to keep electrical safety in mind at all times.

Sources: National Work Zone Safety Information Clearinghouse, The National Highway Traffic Administration, EHS Today, University of Iowa, Electrical Safety Foundation International, Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles