DENVER — The Colorado Division of Transportation launched on Sunday some grim numbers associated to teen drivers and urged mother and father to become involved.
CDOT stated 61 teen drivers have died thus far this 12 months on the highway, up 53% from this time final 12 months. Additionally regarding is the variety of deadly crashes that contain teen drivers. Up to now this 12 months, 73 roadway fatalities have concerned a teen driver, up 33% from this time final 12 months.
The transportation company stated in line with crash information, greater than 16,000 youngsters between the ages of 15-19 have been concerned in crashes in Colorado thus far this 12 months.
“Driving is a pivotal ceremony of passage, nevertheless it comes with large duty,” stated Col. Matthew C. Packard, chief of the Colorado State Patrol, in a information launch. “The stakes are excessive, as younger drivers usually underestimate the dangers they face on the highway. Sadly, we have seen a distressing enhance in teen fatalities on our roads. These statistics emphasize the necessity for training, consciousness and parental involvement.”
The Lakewood Police Division advised Denver7 final month that the rise in teen driver deaths might be attributed to a few behaviors: Distracted driving, aggressive driving, and driving beneath the affect.
Based on the Colorado State Patrol, the commonest citations amongst teen drivers are dashing, careless driving and never sporting a seatbelt.
CDOT is asking mother and father to play an lively position in preserving teenagers protected on the highway.
“Teen drivers face distinctive challenges, together with inexperience, distractions and peer strain,” stated CDOT’s Workplace of Transportation Security Director Darrell Lingk in a information launch. “We urge mother and father and guardians to play an lively position in guiding their teenagers to turn out to be accountable drivers. By setting clear floor guidelines, modeling good driving habits, and having ongoing conversations in regards to the risks of distracted driving, impaired driving and dashing, we will help our younger drivers make sensible choices and shield themselves and others on the highway.”
A Broomfield mom shared her story of loss with Denver7 final week in hopes her painful expertise can function a life-saving reminder. Tami DePalma misplaced her 17-year-old son, Dominic DePalma, to an impaired driver in Windsor on July 28, 2022.
Broomfield mom of teenage killed in DUI crash speaks out
“I bought a telephone name from one in every of his buddies that stated ‘It’s good to get to the hospital, one thing occurred,'” DePalma remembered. “If you stroll right into a state of affairs like that you simply suppose you are strolling into, okay, what are we going to do to avoid wasting his life? However we did not understand that is not what we have been there for.”
Dominic handed away simply hours after the crash.
“There have been 5 boys [in the car]. One in all them had been consuming and selected to drive,” DePalma stated. “He ran a pink gentle, and so they have been hit by a truck. A big truck.”
Dominic was within the backseat of the automobile, in line with his mom.
“You do not actually heal from the dying of a kid. You simply discover ways to dwell your life and transfer forward, regardless that the unhappiness is inside you,” DePalma stated.
DePalma firmly believes adults ought to lead by instance with regards to combating harmful teen driving.
“Children are going to do what their mother and father do, so let’s be certain that we’re having designated drivers and watching what we do,” she stated. “I do not actually know make a change moreover discuss to hordes of individuals and say ‘it could actually occur to you.’”
The Observe Up
What would you like Denver7 to comply with up on? Is there a narrative, matter or situation you need us to revisit? Tell us with the contact type beneath.
