NATIONAL TEEN DRIVER SAFETY WEEK

National Teen Driver Safety Week is October 18 through October 24, 2009. This week has been designated by Congress as a time for communities, schools, and families to raise awareness and provide solutions to teen driver crashes…the leading cause of death in teens in the United States. The Stewart Law Firm has previously written on its blog about the dangers of teen driver crashes. The statistics associated with fatal and catastrophic personal injuries with teens operating motor vehicles is staggering. According to the Institute for Highway Safety, teenagers are ten (10) times more likely to get involved in a motor vehicle crash than drivers between the ages of thirty (30) and fifty-nine (59).

One of the primary causes of teen deaths and catastrophic personal injuries to teens in motor vehicle crashes results when teens, both drivers and vehicle occupants, fail to utilize their seat belts. Texas Department of Transportation observational surveys have shown that Texas children and teens between the ages of 5 and 16 are not utilizing their back seat belts up to 71.1% of the time. As of September 1, 2009, all occupants of a motor vehicle, no matter their age, must be secured by a seat belt, including back seat passengers. Under the new law now on the books, unbuckled passengers…not the drivers…could face fines ranging from $25.00 up to $250.00. This new Texas law addresses the alarming statistics that young people are not properly buckled when they are in a car. Hopefully, this new law will save lives.

The Stewart Law Firm is committed to teen driving safety and crash avoidance. We see, all too often, the senseless deaths and catastrophic personal injuries that occur when young and inexperienced drivers are behind the wheel. Keep your young driver safe. Stay involved. Constantly monitor. If you would like a free Parent/Teen Driving Agreement, contact The Stewart Law Firm today. The attorneys at The Stewart Law Firm are familiar with crash–related injuries and the prosecution of claims on behalf of crash victims. The Stewart Law Firm understands the life-changing effects that can occur as a result of a catastrophic personal injury, particularly those injuries which are caused by the negligent acts of another or by a defective product. If you have a question regarding a motor vehicle crash, call The Stewart Law Firm for a free consultation.

The Stewart Law Firm can be reached, toll-free, at (877) 326-0411. Our address is: 3000 South IH-35, Suite 150, Austin, TX 78704. Visit our website at: http://www.thestewartlawfirm.net/. Cases handled by The Stewart Law Firm include catastrophic personal injury, wrongful death, spinal cord injuries, burn injuries, motorcycle crashes, motor vehicle crashes, commercial vehicle crashes, train crashes, bus crashes, and defective products.