Article Contributed on: 8/6/2008 2:13:30 PM
The dog days of summer are also some of the deadliest days of the year for Denver-area teens according to a recent study released by Allstate.
The "Allstate America's Teen Driving Hotspots" study examined recent federal crash statistics, insurance claims data, and U.S. Census bureau statistics to score Denver's rates of fatal crashes involving teen drivers. The study revealed that 11.7 percent of all fatal teen car crashes in the Denver metro area occur in August. June is the second deadliest month in the Mile High City (11.4 percent) followed by October (9.5 percent).
To help teens stay safe through August and beyond, parents should initiate a conversation about smart driving. This conversation can include completion of a Parent-Teen Driving Contract, which helps set guidelines for smart driving and consequences for not living up to those expectations. Parents and teens can fill out the interactive contract -- setting their own expectations and consequences -- online at
www.allstate.com\teen.
This year, Allstate has also conducted teen distracted driving training courses aimed at reducing the impact of distracted driving practices such as texting and talking on the phone while driving. Teens in more than a dozen cities throughout the United States have gotten a first-hand look at how distractions can affect their decision-making ability when behind the wheel.
"Calling attention to the seriousness of safe teen driving in a month that has proven to be the most dangerous for young drivers is crucial in helping to teach the realities of teen driving fatalities," said
Christopher R. Lovest, assistant field vice president for Allstate's West Central Region, which includes Denver. "But the vigilance on the roads cannot end after just one month. Our goal is to generate enough awareness that will last not only throughout this month but for the rest of the year. Practicing safe, distraction free driving is a great idea any time of year for drivers of any age."
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), an average of more than 17 teens a day die on American roads during June, July and August -- the three months with the highest teen crash rates nationally. More than 5,000 teens die in car crashes every year. While research shows that both parents and teens believe alcohol is the cause of most crashes involving teen drivers, the primary causes of most teen crashes -- between 2003 and 2005 -- was driver error (87 percent).
Allstate commissioned the study in conjunction with Sperling's BestPlaces (
www.bestplaces.net), a Portland, Oregon research firm specializing in demographic studies and analysis. These results are intended to help mobilize Denver officials, parents and teens to work together to find solutions that curb dangerous teen driving habits.
The "Allstate America's Teen Driving Hotspots" also identified U.S cities where fatal teen driving accidents are more prevalent based on their local teen populations. The study aims to draw attention to safe teen driving, especially in markets where teen crash rates are higher. According to the study, the Denver metro area has the 60th highest fatal crash rate involving teens among the nation's 100 largest metro areas.
Allstate's release of the study findings expands its new national "Action Against Distraction" public awareness and policy campaign, which also calls for a national federal standard for graduated driver licensing (GDL) laws and urges Congress to enact the Safe Teen and Novice Driver Uniform Protection (STANDUP) Act.
About the Allstate Corporation
The Allstate Corporation (NYSE: ALL) is the nation's largest publicly held personal lines insurer. Widely known through the "You're In Good Hands With Allstate®" slogan, Allstate helps individuals in approximately 17 million households protect what they have today and better prepare for tomorrow through approximately 14,600 exclusive agencies and financial representatives in the U.S. and Canada. Customers can access Allstate products and services such as auto insurance and homeowners insurance through Allstate agencies, or in select states at allstate.com and 1-800 Allstate®. Encompass® and Deerbrook® Insurance brand property and casualty products are sold exclusively through independent agents. The Allstate Financial Group provides life insurance, supplemental accident and health insurance, annuity, banking and retirement products designed for individual, institutional and worksite customers that are distributed through Allstate agencies, independent agencies, financial institutions and broker-dealers.