GREENSBORO, N.C. — All drivers need to be safe on the road, especially teens. According to the North Carolina Department of Transportation, the time period between Memorial and Labor Day is 100 days when most teen crashes historically rise.
A spokesperson for The National Road Safety Foundation said traffic crashes are the leading cause of death for teens. The organization recorded 11,000 teens dying in car crashes for the first half of 2023. Here in North Carolina in that time period, 40 teen drivers died in wrecks. That's four percent higher than last year.
An expert said speeding and teen drivers make for a bad combination.
"Speeding is a factor in about 26% of all fatal crashes," David Reich said, "This is all choices that we make. When we get behind the wheel we have to be safe drivers, not just for ourselves but for others."
He is the Director of Public Relations at the National Road Safety Foundation. He said parents need to set an example.
"If they see you on the cell phone while driving or blowing through a stop sign, even if they know it is wrong, they're gonna think if mom and dad do this it's okay for me," Reich said.
A Greensboro parent said she encourages her kids to drive defensively.
"It's what you have to do. You have to look on the road for the car in front of you behind you and on the side. If someone not paying attention it can lead to disaster," Ch-Hara Pearson said.
The National Road Safety Foundation said parents should talk to teens about several key issues that include: seatbelts, speed, and passengers.
Resources for Parents: Passport to Safe Driving