Car accidents are the leading cause of death for American teens, and parents in Massachusetts and across the country are likely concerned by federal crash statistics showing that fatality rates have begun climbing again after years of steady decline. Young drivers die on the nation’s roads three times as often as any other age group, and a report released on Oct. 16 by the Governors Highway Safety Association revealed that the increase in auto accident deaths observed in 2015 was particularly pronounced among teens.
Safety agencies across the country drew attention to the problem during National Teen Driver Safety Week, which took place between Oct. 16 and Oct. 22. Road safety experts are particularly concerned about distracted driving. Smartphones are powerful distractions for drivers of all ages, and safety advocates say that parents should set an example for their children by keeping their eyes on the road at all times.
