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Milstead Automotive gives safety tips for teen drivers

By: Donna Wick
| Published 01/26/2016

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THE WOODLANDS, Texas – January is Teen Driving Awareness Month across the nation. It’s a perfect opportunity for parents to review safe driving tips with their teen aged children, whether they are just learning to drive or have been on the road for a couple of years. According to the Centers for Disease Control, motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for U.S. teens. With that grim statistic in mind, safety behind the wheel is a vitally important issue.

Safe driving advice for parents and teens


“Our teenagers are more at risk for accidents on the road,” said Mark Orsack, Service Manager for Milstead Automotive in Spring. “Understanding why is an essential part of preventing a crash.” Inexperience is a leading cause of teen accidents, along with ignoring basic rules of safety such as wearing seat belts. “Teens don’t often realize the implications of their actions,” Orsack said. “They are prone to reckless or impaired driving, showing off to friends, and texting while driving.” Sadly, these mistakes can be fatal.

Orsack has the following safety advice for teens behind the wheel


Turn off your phone and put it in the trunk – “For some, having the phone in the car with you is just too big a temptation,” Orsack said. “You hear that ringer and react automatically so turn it off and get it out of reach.”

Don’t pack the car with other teens – “Driving with a group of friends can break your concentration, causing you to be distracted,” Orsack said. “Paying attention to the road is your only priority when you’re behind the wheel.”

Follow the laws – “This means wear a seat belt, drive at or under the speed limit and observe all road signs,” Orsack said.

Don’t drive under the influence – “Drugs or alcohol are a factor in over 25 percent of fatal accidents with teenage drivers,” Orsack said. “Do not get in the car if the driver is intoxicated and don’t get behind the wheel if you have been drinking; it’s not worth the risk.”

Avoid distractions – Phone use is not the only distraction that teen drivers face. “Set your GPS and get your music playing before you pull away,” Orsack said. “Avoid anything that might distract you from driving such as eating or putting on make-up, save those things for later.”

There are other sobering statistics related to teen driving. Teenage boys are nearly twice as likely as girls to be involved in a fatal auto accident. In addition, most accidents involving teen drivers take place between the hours of 3:00 p.m. and midnight. “We know it’s impossible to avoid night-time driving,” Orsack said, “but if you follow precautions and drive with safety in mind, you can reduce the risk of an accident.”

Milstead Automotive, located at 29707 W. Hawthorne in Spring, is committed to safety on the roadways. They are known for providing exceptional service and customer care. Call Milstead Automotive at 281-367-3535 to schedule routine maintenance, or visit their website at www.milsteadautomotive.com.

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