SACRAMENTO, Calif. – December 8, 2021 – (Newswire.com)
Today, Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) and Root Insurance call all motorists to prioritize safety during this holiday season when crashes can be on the rise due to various distractions inside the vehicle.
Data from the California Highway Patrol shows that car crashes continue to be a leading cause of death for teens ages 16-24 in the Golden State. A Zogby poll, commissioned by Root and SADD, shows that 64% of Californians are concerned about roadway safety, specifically distracted driving and its threat to their safety. The study further indicates that 64% of parents with children under 17 believe the problem has grown worse over the past several years.
December is National Impaired Driving Prevention Month, a nationwide observance to call attention to the public health crisis of roadway fatalities. While we typically think of impairment as behavior related to drugs and alcohol, distractions inside the car present similar dangers for all roadway users. SADD works with a coalition of partners across the state to raise awareness on these issues with funding from the California Office of Traffic Safety and the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control. SADD chapters in middle schools, high schools, and college campuses will hold awareness events for teens and parents throughout the week. SADD will feature the Passport for Safe Driving, a resource developed in partnership with National Road Safety Foundation to assist parents in coaching their teens to be safer drivers.
“Distractions, impairment, speed, recklessness, lack of seat belt, and inexperience — these behaviors are the leading causes of teen crashes in California, and they are 100% preventable,” said Rick Birt, President & CEO of SADD. “We’re honored to join with Root Insurance to raise awareness of these behaviors and what teens and adult allies can do to prevent crashes and save lives this holiday season.”
“Californians are right to be concerned with the real dangers posed by distracted driving,” said Kathy Mitchell, Director of Government Affairs for Root, Inc. “One innovative solution supported by California drivers is to tie the driving ability to insurance rates so that drivers are incentivized to drive safely with lower rates. We know which tools will make our roads safer. We just need to implement them. Californians can rest assured SADD is working tirelessly to deliver results.”
Resources for students, parents, and community-members can be found on the SADD website at www.sadd.org or your favorite social media platform.
About SADD
For 40 years, SADD, the nation’s premier youth health safety organization, has worked to empower teens, engage parents, mobilize communities, and change lives around the issues of traffic safety, substance abuse, and personal health and safety. Through a national network of peer-led chapters in middle schools, high schools, and colleges, SADD equips students with the resources they need to advocate for change in their communities.
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Original Source:
Over the River and Through the Woods: Distracted Drivers Present New Dangers This Holiday Season
