National Teen Drivers Safety Week

WHEREAS, in 2011, 54 teens ages 16 to 19 were killed in motor vehicle crashes in Alabama; and

WHEREAS, in 2011, there were 2,749 teen drivers ages 16 to 19 injured in a vehicle; there were 19,022 involved in a motor vehicle crash in Alabama; and

WHEREAS, in 2011, there were 42 fewer deaths among teen drivers ages 16 to 19 than in the previous year; there is still much work to be done in Alabama; and

WHEREAS, nationally, most teens are unaware of passenger risks, and only one 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; inexperience and immaturity combined with speed, drinking and driving, not wearing seat belts, distracted driving (cell phone use, texting, loud music, other teen passengers, etc.), drowsy driving, nighttime driving, and other drug use aggravate this problem; and

WHEREAS, October 14 through 20, 2012, is National Teen Drivers Safety Week; 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 to give 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 the week of October 14 through October 20, 2012 as

National Teen Drivers Safety Week

in the state of Alabama, and call upon all citizens, government agencies, schools, public and private institutions, businesses, hospitals and emergency services in Alabama to consider the safety of teen drivers this week and every week.

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 10th day of October 2012.

 

      

Robert Bentley, Governor