Mississippi ranks 5th for teen driving deaths

JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – Summer is here in Mississippi and that means more teens will be on the roads.

According to a report from Zutobia, Mississippi ranks fifth in the United States for teen driving deaths. The state has 39.60 deaths per 100,000 teen drivers.

Lucas Waldenback, co-founder of Zutobi, said there are different causes of teen driving deaths, including distracted driving, drunk driving, seat belt use and excessive speed.

More teenage male drivers die in car crashes in the state than female drivers, the study found.

“Teen drivers need more than just theoretical knowledge. They need interactive, innovative education that explains and engages,” Waldenback said. “Establishing a solid foundation early on is crucial to establishing safe driving habits and reducing the number of teen road deaths. This is why we want to educate parents and young drivers so that the number of accidents decreases. »

Here are some tips that can help prevent teen driving deaths:

• Eliminate all distractions, including using your phone while driving.
• If your teenager has consumed alcohol, arrange for a designated driver (a friend, sibling, etc.) or their parents must pick them up locally.
• Wear the seat belt at all times when the vehicle is moving.
• Avoid speeding and exceeding the speed limit. Always follow traffic rules and regulations.
• If you know you have to travel long distances, bring a responsible driver so you can split the driving to avoid dozing off behind the wheel.
• Pay attention to surrounding areas when driving and also watch out for other drivers.