New Research Promoted by Michael Cerussi Regarding Teen Auto Deaths Begs Parents to Make Changes

PHILADELPHIA, PA, May 20, 2013

A recent report indicates an influx in teen auto deaths that demands parental intervention, an account that won the attention of Michael Ceruissi, the owner of Cerussi Driving School. The research shows that teens killed in car accidents are likely to continue dramatically in 2013 due to immaturity and a lack of driving experience. The study was conducted from the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) and revealed that "deaths of 16- and 17-year-old drivers were up 19 percent between the first six months of 2011 and the first six months of 2012." The research also demonstrates that if the final 2012 data meets this progression, 2012 is potentially the second year in a row of heightened teen driver deaths.

Safe driving advocate Michael Ceruissi weighs in on the horrific statistics. "There's never been a more pressing need for quality defense driving and safe driving services for teen drivers," he said. "Parents need to step in and understand the importance of this issue." The report continues to advise parents to take action by pointing out the most distracting factors involved in teen accidents and quoting Loretta Worters, the vice president of the Insurance Information Institute (III). "They often don't wear their seatbelts and the distraction of a teen passenger just adds to the risks facing young drivers," she said. "Fortunately there are steps you can take to protect your teen."

Michael Ceruissi strongly concurs with Loretta Worter's message of distractions. "There are so many risks involved with eating, talking on cell phones and text messaging. While teens are not necessarily more likely to display this behavior than adults, it's still prevalent among young drivers," he said.

The III notes several precautions parents should heed for the safety of their teen drivers by suggesting safer vehicles, drivers education courses and safe driver programs along with comprehensive discussions of drug and alcohol dangers.

Michael Ceruissi emphasizes the report's advice to enroll student drivers into a teen safety driver program. "As a driver's education instructor, I am tuned in to the alarmingly high rate at which teens are killed in car crashes," he said. "If students were properly taught defense and safety methods through a trusted driving school, several of those accidents could have been avoided."

Research also shows a need for parents to discuss the dangers of distracted and impaired driving. The article notes, "remind your teens never to phone or text while driving, and to keep distractions, such as the radio and chatting with friends to a minimum. Teens should also be responsible passengers when in their friends' cars. New drivers should wait 1,000 miles or six months before picking up their first teen passenger."

He highlights the report's advice for parents to serve as positive role models. "It's crucial for parents to lead by example so their kids can learn how to avoid reckless driving. Parents need to have a higher awareness of always wearing their seatbelts and other safety habits, said Michael Ceruissi.

ABOUT:

Michael Ceruissi is a safe driver instructor and the owner of Ceruissi Driving School. Since 1998, he strives to equip student drivers with necessary defense and safe driving techniques to reduce the number of auto accidents and deaths.