May is National Youth Traffic Safety Month, and with prom and graduation festivities this month and summer right around the corner, Fix Auto’s Oregon network – a group of six independently owned and operated shops – says it’s the ideal time to educate communities about youth traffic safety.
“Traffic accidents are the leading cause of death for children and teenagers in this country,” said Fix Auto Portland Downtown owner J.R. Carlson. “Many of these crashes are caused by avoidable behavior such as talking on cell phones, texting and loud music. We wanted to bring awareness to this cause because fortunately, there are easy, attainable actions we can all take to become a safer driver and reduce the risk of an accident. “
Fix Auto The Dalles owner Sky Schacht added, “Hopefully as teenagers are better educated, deadly accidents will decrease. The reality is that even the most responsible, defensive drivers may still be involved in an accident at some point in their lifetime. Part
of educating our youth about traffic safety is helping them feel prepared in the unfortunate incident that they are in an accident.”
Fix Auto shared the following list of things to do in case of an accident to be shared with young drivers:
1. Take a deep breath and try to remain calm.
2. Turn off your vehicle’s engine and leave it where it is. If your vehicle is not in a safe place, move it to the side of the road.
3. If you think you have been injured, stay in your car until a medical professional can assess your condition.
4. If you are not injured, evaluate the damage to your vehicle. Never walk directly between two cars. If one is hit again, you could become trapped between them.
5. Do not attempt to drive a vehicle that may be unsafe. For towing and rental car assistance, call a local repair facility that will help you make arrangements.
6. Exchange information with all parties involved (including name, insurance company,
policy number, vehicle year, make, model and license numbers).
7. Collect contact information from witnesses and make any necessary notes.
8. Fill out an accident report (contact your local DMV for more information).
More information:
To promote youth traffic safety in your community, contact the National Organizations for Youth Safety (NOYS).
