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North Carolina (NC) sees an influx of visitors during the summer months as vacationers arrive to enjoy the beaches of the North Carolina coast. This means increased traffic volume on Interstate 40 (I-40) and I-95. Much of this new traffic volume will consist of young drivers who may be taking their turn behind the wheel of the family car while others are heading off on their first solo vacation in their own car or on a motorcycle. Unfortunately, many of these drivers are inexperienced and could be so taken with summer fun that they drive recklessly and cause a major car accident.

The leading cause of death among teenage drivers in the U.S. is car crashes. These fatal accidents account for 36 percent of all teen deaths. In fact, nearly 6,000 teenage drivers were killed in car wrecks in 2008.

Unfortunately, many car accident deaths involving teens feature alcohol. Drivers between the ages of 16 to 24 are involved in 28 percent of all alcohol-related car crashes, even though they make up only 14 percent of the U.S. population, according to Potsdam.edu.

Keep these statistics in mind when your son or daughter wants to hit the road for a summer road trip. Stress to them the importance of not texting while driving, consuming alcohol before or after they get behind the wheel, and always wearing their seat belt. Stressing these safe driving fundamentals could mean the difference between life and your child joining the statistics.

About the Editors: Shapiro, Cooper, Lewis & Appleton personal injury law firm (NC-VA law offices ) edits the injury law blogs Northeast North Carolina Injuryboard, Virginia Beach Injuryboard, and Norfolk Injuryboard as a pro bono service to consumers.

JM

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