Allstate Provides Prom Safe Driving Tips for Teens

Each year during the busy prom season, stories emerge of teens whose lives were tragically cut short because of a car crash. Car crashes are the No. 1 killer of teens and the majority of car crashes involving teens are preventable caused by driver error, speeding and distractions. According to a 2008 Allstate Hotspot Study, Kansas City is the seventh deadliest metropolitan area in the nation for teen drivers. The study also revealed that 46.9 percent of teen crashes in Kansas City cite speed as a factor and 48.7 percent of fatal teen car crashes cite lack of seatbelt use as a factor.

We are entering the busy prom season and the risk for teen drivers is elevated. Increased distractions like boisterous passengers, music, food, drink, nighttime visibility, and general excitement divert the young driver’s attention from the road and could lead to dangerous and even fatal consequences.

While all parents want their child to enjoy these once-in-a-lifetime events, it’s important to take preventive measures to ensure children’s safety during these high-risk times. To help teenagers make it safely to and from a celebration, Allstate Insurance Company recommends the following tips:

-Plan an alternate source of transportation—arrange for a cab or a limousine.

-Limit the number of passengers in your teenager’s car—more passengers create more potential distractions for the driver.

-Prohibit driving under the influence—underage drinking and driving is against the law. Make it clear to your teens that if they drink or use drugs, driving privileges will be revoked.

-Establish an SOS—teens make mistakes and sometimes get themselves into dangerous situations. Make sure your teens have a responsible adult they can call if they feel they shouldn’t be driving or are riding with another young driver who shouldn’t be driving.

-Reduce distractions—make sure your teen agrees not to eat, drink, or use a cell phone while driving.

-Buckle up—teens, more than any group of drivers and passengers, don’t use seatbelts.

-Check the condition of your teen’s car—make certain your teen is driving a car in good condition.

For more teen safe driving tips visit www.allstate.com/teen.