Interstate 45 Tops List for Most Texas Teen Car Crashes

IRVING, Texas, May 27, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Allstate is urging Texas teen drivers to focus on the freeways this summer. While car crashes can happen any time, any place, new data shows the number of crashes involving teen drivers is higher on certain roads and highways in the state.

Interstate 45 in Harris County had more car crashes involving teen drivers than any other roadway in Texas between 2006 and 2010, according to the data provided to Allstate by the Texas Department of Transportation. Interstate 10, also in Harris County, had the second highest, and Interstate 10 in Bexar County had the third most.

100 Deadliest Days for Teen Drivers

The time between Memorial Day and Labor Day is known as the "100 Deadliest Days." More teens die in car crashes during this period than during any other.

"Car crashes are the number one killer of Texas teens," said Michael Walker, an Allstate agent in Austin. "Summer is almost here and when school is out, more teens will be hitting the highways across the state.  This data should spur parents and community leaders to take action and teach our teen drivers that speeding, distractions and carelessness can be costly."

Another important reason for parents to talk to teens about safe driving is they will listen.  In a study from The Allstate Foundation, almost 90 percent of teens surveyed said their parents are the biggest influencers on their driving habits.

Learn the Laws

A comprehensive GDL program is the best way to reduce teen-related auto accidents by giving states guidance and resources to make their roads safer.

• Allstate supports the Safe Teen and Novice Driver Uniform Protection (STANDUP) Act (S. 528 and H.R. 1515) in an effort to save lives on America's roads and highways.

Allstate supports the establishment of comprehensive, uniform GDL legislation at the federal level as state and national evaluations of GDL have found crash reductions for 16 and 17-year-old drivers in the 20 percent to 40 percent range.

The Texas GDL law stipulates that drivers under age 18 cannot use a wireless communication device, except in case of an emergency, regardless of when their license was issued. The law also states during the first 12 month period following a teen under the age of 18 getting a driver license, they cannot drive:

• After midnight and before 5 a.m. unless for employment, a school related activity or because of a medical emergency.
• With more than one passenger under 21 in the vehicle who is not a family member.

Make sure your family understands the current GDL law in Texas.  You can also find out about federal legislation that could help make our teens safer on the road nationwide by visiting facebook.com/save11.

X the TXT

Pledge not to text and drive, and help reduce teen deaths and other distracted driving injuries. Join the X the TXT Facebook page at facebook.com/XtheTEXT.  

Download a Parent Teen Driver Contract

Parents can start the conversation with teens about the importance of safe driving, set guidelines and discuss consequences by downloading a parent-teen driver contract at ProtectTeenDrivers.com.

The Allstate Corporation (NYSE: ALL) is the nation's largest publicly held personal lines insurer. Widely known through the "You're In Good Hands With Allstate®" slogan, Allstate is reinventing protection and retirement to help nearly 16 million households insure what they have today and better prepare for tomorrow. Consumers access Allstate insurance products (auto, home, life and retirement) and services through Allstate agencies, independent agencies, and Allstate exclusive financial representatives in the U.S. and Canada, as well as via www.allstate.com and 1-800 Allstate®.

SOURCE Allstate