RALEIGH – The N.C. Division of Transportation is urging teenagers to decelerate, keep away from distractions when driving, and buckle up as a result of that is the deadliest time of 12 months for teen drivers.
Memorial Day begins the 100 deadliest days of the 12 months for teenage drivers. In different phrases, extra youngsters are killed in vehicle crashes between Memorial Day and Labor Day than at another 100-day interval through the 12 months.
“Every year, so many individuals are killed on the street as a result of they don’t seem to be looking for themselves or others,” stated state Transportation Secretary Eric Boyette. “All these deaths have one factor in widespread – They’re all preventable. Folks must decelerate, put on their seat belts, and by no means drink and drive. We would like everybody to get the place they’re going safely.”
Final 12 months, automobile crashes through the 100 deadliest days resulted in 30 deaths. Whereas North Carolina has seen a lower in visitors quantity through the COVID-19 pandemic, the variety of deaths that occurred throughout this time really elevated in North Carolina and nationwide. State and federal officers usually are not certain why the elevated fatalities occurred, however they’ve stepped up their efforts to boost consciousness to scale back the variety of visitors deaths.
Three of the main causes of visitors fatalities usually are not carrying a seatbelt, impaired driving, and rushing. NCDOT additionally recommends the next security suggestions for motorists:
- Don’t drive drowsy. Nationwide, driving whereas drowsy has contributed to greater than 1 million collisions and over 6,000 fatalities a 12 months.
- Don’t drive distracted. Put your cellphone away whereas driving and pull over if you must take your eyes off the street.
- Share the street. Be sure you are waiting for motorcyclists, bicyclists and others utilizing the street.
For extra details about secure driving and learn how to stop automobile crashes, go to NCDOT: Governor’s Highway Safety Program or NCDOT’s internet web page on secure driving.
