National Teen Drivers Safety Week

WHEREAS, October 16-22, 2011, is National Teen Drivers Safety Week; and

WHEREAS, in Alabama, in 2010, 96 teens ages 16-19 were killed in motor vehicle crashes; and

WHEREAS, in Alabama, in 2010, there were 5,940 teen drivers ages 16-19 injured in motor vehicle crashes, and a total of 17,841 teens involved in motor vehicle crashes; and

WHEREAS, in Alabama, in 2010, even though there were 12 fewer deaths among teen drivers ages 16-19 than in the previous year, there is still much work to be done; and

WHEREAS, nationally, most teens are unaware of passenger risk; only 1 in 10 teens consider the presence of peer passengers to influence their safety; and

WHEREAS, most teen-related motor vehicle crashes are caused by risky driving behavior such as inexperience and immaturity, speed, not wearing seat belts, distracted driving (cell phone use, texting, loud music, other teen passengers, etc.), drowsy driving, night-time driving, and alcohol- and drug-impaired driving; and

WHEREAS, all across the state, Alabamians are coming together and pooling resources under the leadership of the Alabama Department of Transportation, Alabama Department of Education, Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs’ Law Enforcement and Traffic Section, Alabama Department of Public Health and Alabama Department of Public Safety in a concerted effort to reduce the number of teen-related motor vehicle crashes, injuries and fatalities:

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Robert Bentley, Governor of Alabama, do hereby proclaim October 16 through 22, 2011, as

National Teen Drivers Safety Week

in the State of the Alabama.

Given Under My Hand and the Great Seal of the Office of the Governor at the State Capitol in the City of Montgomery on the 27th day of September 2011.

                                                                                 Governor Robert Bentley