Prom and graduation season is here and with it comes the excitement of celebrations, sharing photos, videos and texts with friends and families. But it’s also accompanied by an elevated risk for teen drivers.

According to research by AAA, teens are among the riskiest drivers on the road, crashing four times more often than adult drivers do. In fact, car crashes are the leading cause of death among people ages 16--20, killing more than 5,600 teens each year.  CARSTAR is hoping to help reduce the risks of teen accidents by offering tips to parents and young adults to keep them safe on the way to and from those special events. 

“Those of us in the collision industry know all too well the dangers associated with teen driving,” said Dean Fisher, Chief Operations Officer for CARSTAR.  “We are in the unique position of taking the leadership role and reminding parents and their kids about the increased risks from April through June. Educating young drivers about the dangers of texting and driving, drinking and driving and paying attention on the road could help save their lives.”

Fisher offered tips for parents and teen drivers for reducing teen accidents during prom and graduation season:

• Take---and share---your photos and videos before you get in the car

• Engage the “Do Not Disturb” setting on your cell phone that silences incoming texts and notifications

• Be considerate of the driver. The number one cause of distraction-related accidents for teens is other passengers

• Consider a car service. There are many different ride options out there---limousines, car services, other parents and Uber or Lyft

• If you suspect your teen or their friends will be drinking, offer up a “no questions asked” pledge if they call you to pick them up

Communication and education are keys to keeping teen drivers safe on the roads. AAA created Keys2Drive, a teen safety website with key information and tools to prepare your young adults for the road and the road ahead.