Safety tips for Young Drivers | Expert Advice from Your Orthopedic Surgeon

Summer months bring more time for fun and activities for the young people. The activities include traveling and driving. While driving is fun, distracted driving can result in tragic crashes, serious injuries and fatalities. Fortunately these tragic events are preventable.

According to The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), approximately 387,000 Americans were injured in distracted driving-related crashes in 2011, and there were an estimated 3,331 fatalities.

Ten percent of injury crashes in 2011 were reported as “distraction-affected,” and 11 percent of all drivers under the age of 20 involved in a fatal crash were reportedly distracted at the time of the crash. 

 According to AAA, summer is the most dangerous time of year for teen drivers with seven of the top 10 deadliest days occurring between Memorial Day and Labor Day holidays.

Young drivers should keep their hands on the steering wheel and eyes on the road to ensure that they, their friends, family and fellow travelers, stay safe.

Sending or receiving a text takes a driver’s eyes off the road for an average of 4.6 seconds, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation. At 44 mph, that’s like driving the entire length of a football field, blind.  New NHTSA research found that drivers are more than three times more likely to get in a car crash while reaching for an object in the car; 23 times more likely while texting.

A CDC study showed that 45% of driving teens admitted to texting while driving and 25% of these practiced that as a regular habit. 

These teens also are more prone to other risky behaviors, such as; drinking alcohol. Students who texted while driving were also more likely to be irregular seat belt wearers and to ride in a car with a driver who had been drinking alcohol.

The first priority for all drivers is the safe operation of their car or truck which means keeping eyes on the road and hands on the wheel.

Wreck-less Checkless:

• Consciously make a decision each and every time you get behind the wheel to make all other activities, passengers and priorities secondary to driving.
• Stop your vehicle — in a safe area — any time there is a distraction that needs your attention, such as retrieving items, having an involved discussion, reading, smoking, or disciplining a child.
• Do not eat or drink while driving.
• Keep your eyes on the road.
• Driving is not the time to apply makeup, groom, polish your nails, or change clothing.

Before You Start Your Car:

• Put on any accessories you may need, such as sunglasses or Bluetooth ear pieces;
• Adjust seats, head rests, vehicle controls and mirrors;
• Fasten your safety belt;
• Move all reading material away from easy reach;
• Pre-load CDs or mp3 playlists and adjust volume level so your music does not mask the sounds of emergency sirens; and,
• Enter an address in the navigation system before you depart or review maps and written directions before you drive

Shaheer Yousaf, M.D., FACS

Center For Advanced Orthopedics