The Bay area was recently ranked #1 in the country for teen traffic accidents involving death. According to a report by Allstate, the Bay Area (comprised of Tampa & Pinellas) has more teen traffic related deaths than anywhere else in the country between Thanksgiving and New Years.
Between 2000 and 2007, the bay area had 59 teen deaths as a result of traffic accidents and already in 2008, 15 teenagers have died. Florida Highway Patrol Troopers who respond to the crashes note that teens are distracted when they drive, oftentimes texting or talking on a cell phone, not paying attention or speeding. Teens also don’t wear seat belts evidenced by a recent survery they gave to themselves in which teens admit that seat belt use is rare.
Aside from the horrible loss of a human being, an accident involving death is a significant traffic ticket issued to the driver who caused the death/accident. Citations involving death require a mandatory court appearance in front of a Judge who has the authority to revoke a person’s license for a year and order that the defendant pay a substantial fine.
Common sense while driving may be the best deterrent to an accident. Teens need to be encouraged to wear a seat belt, drive the speed limit and pay attention to the other cars on the road, not the cell phone buzzing in their ear.