The time is fast approaching when schools will be closing for the summer. An abundance of young adults on summer vacation will be out and about, driving their cars, trucks and all-terrain vehicles, enjoying time with friends and the freedoms of summer. As this liberating time draws near, so do the “100 deadly days of summer.”
This period of time, from Memorial Day through Labor Day, represents the peak when most traumatic motor vehicle crashes occur. Driving becomes more recreational, with an added deadly distraction for young drivers: their friends. Statistics show that driving with two or more passengers increases the risk of being involved in fatal car crashes five-fold.
In 2015 in the St. John Valley, 394 motor vehicle crashes involved young adults, and five resulted in fatalities. With Dr. David Coffman, the only surgeon in Aroostook County with a fellowship in trauma and surgical critical care, leaving in July, local motor vehicle crash victims may face an even slimmer chance of getting the time-sensitive care they need.
Being brought to Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor by LifeFlight significantly decreases the “golden hour,” that time after a major traumatic injury when death most likely can be prevented with prompt medical treatment.
Driving safety is a priority for young adults; car crashes are the leading cause of death among this age group. Young, inexperienced drivers are nearly three times more likely than experienced drivers to be involved in a crash. Parents are the key to making a lasting, impressionable impact by reinforcing safe driving practices and setting a good example.
For teen drivers, using seat belts is crucial. Talk with your teens about mandatory seat belt use, eliminating distractions such as texting and loud music and the need to always abstain from any drug and alcohol use while driving. Make them aware that using cellphones while driving, riding with friends and driving late at night significantly increase young adult drivers’ already high risk of being involved in a crash.
Be proactive. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s Parents Are the Key campaign promotes the development of safe driving habits for young adults by involving parents, health-care providers and community members.
Parents can manage their young adults’ driving with a written contract, an agreement between the parents and young adult about specific expectations and conditions of driving. Penalties for contract violations are clearly discussed from the start, which promotes safe driving to avoid the consequences — usually a span of time when they are not permitted to drive. Setting rules and supervising teen driving in a supportive way can cut their crash risk in half.
Health care providers can educate parents and young adults about the risks associated with unsafe driving. Community members can print out materials, which promote safe teen driving. Printable examples of parent/teen driving contracts and safe driving materials can be found on the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention website.
Crash statistics involving young drivers are sobering. Let’s protect our youngest and most vulnerable drivers by actively being a part of their driving education and experience. Trying to reduce the number of debilitating traumatic crashes and deaths is compelling reason enough. Our children and young adult friends deserve to live long, safe, healthy lives. Let’s do our part to ensure that happens.
Lise Albert is a University of Maine at Fort Kent accelerated nursing student.