A new report from the Governors Highway Safety Association indicates teen-involved crash fatalities increased 10% in 2015. In Nebraska, they increased 20%.
Rose White, Public Affairs Director for AAA Nebraska, says distracted driving is the number one cause of teen crashes. And she says teen passengers are the number one distraction for teen drivers.
White says the most important thing to do if you’re traveling with another teen is to be a good passenger.
“And that means avoiding any unnecessary conversations that may take that driver’s mind off of the road. Also, avoid any unnecessary phone use and if the phone must be answered, make sure it’s the passenger that’s answering the call, not the driver. And don’t ever do anything that pulls the driver’s attention away from the road.”
White says passengers may also assist drivers by adjusting radios or navigation systems as needed. She says using a cellphone was the second biggest cause of teen crashes.
For more information and teen driving tips, the website is TeenDriving.AAA.com.