Teens Gather to Increase Awareness of Fatal Trucking Accidents in Houston and Elsewhere

Teen drivers from the nation's capital recently teamed up to raise awareness about the dangers of driving near large trucks.  Teens vowed to stay out of their blind spots and to leave them plenty of room on our roadways.  They also signed a “No Texting Promise” in an attempt to reduce the number of fatal trucking accidents in Texas and elsewhere throughout our country.

Representatives from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, the National Organizations for Youth Safety and the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance put on this demonstration for the teens and spoke to area students about the importance of practicing safe driving habits when traveling near these big trucks.

Our Houston truck accident lawyers realize that there is a large number of trucks that navigate our roads every day.  It is with safe and defensive driving habits that we can all help to decrease the number of fatal accidents involving trucks. This awareness is especially important to teens as summer starts, increasing their chances of being involved in an accident.

“We want everyone to be safe, but as newer drivers, teens must adhere to a few simple rules,” said Anne Ferro, administrator of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. “They are: buckle up, don’t drink and drive; don’t speed, don’t text or use your phone, and steer clear of a truck’s blind spots.”

The latest data from U.S. Department of Transportation’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System shows that the deadliest days of the year for teens ages 15 to 19 are from May to August. During these four months, nearly twice as many teens die on the roads each day as compared to the rest of the year.

It takes a tractor-trailer roughly twice the distance to stop as it does a passenger vehicle.  Tractor-trailers also have large blind spots, or “No Zones,” that motorist must avoid.

Teens were invited to this demonstration because those ages 16 to 24 are most likely to be involved in a deadly traffic accident in the U.S.  Between 2005 and 2009, roughly 4,000 people in this age group were killed in traffic accidents involving large trucks.

"Prom, graduation, and summer are fantastic times for youth to celebrate and enjoy. However, with these fun times come unfortunate tragedies,” said Sandy Spavone, president of the National Organizations for Youth Safety. “Through education, enforcement, and legislation lives can be saved and injuries prevented."


Driving awareness shouldn't only pertain to our nation's teens.  All motorists, of all ages, should practice safe driving habits while sharing the road with these large vehicles as accidents involving these big rigs can have deadly consequences.

“Do not expect that having a driver's license is a right that comes without responsibility or risk,” said Steve Keppler, executive director of the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance. “Be accountable for your actions, spread the word to your friends and parents, and help create a culture of safety. Most importantly, take the driving task seriously. You never know the impact you can have that ultimately could save your life or someone else's." 

If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident with a tractor trailer, call Houston car accident attorney Joe Stephens today at 713-224-0000 for a free consultation.