Get the facts on car crashes, the number one killer of teens

In the U.S., 5,000 teens die every year in car crashes. That's an average of 14 a day. Don't let your friends be one of the 14.
300,000 teens are injured in car crashes each year. That's like all of Tampa, Florida, getting hurt in one year.
Car crashes are the No. 1 killer of teens in the U.S., even more than alcohol and drug abuse, violence and suicide. Can you believe that?

Speeding and driver error are responsible for most of the fatal teen car wrecks. Can you say "preventable?"
Nearly 40% of all fatal teen crashes are caused by speeding. News flash: Life is a better rush than death.
87% of teens admit to speeding. Be a non-conformist and drive the speed limit.
Almost 25% of teen guys say they speed because it's "fun." Their injured friends probably disagree.
In 2004, more than 2,500 teens were in fatal crashes because of failing to yield or veering out of their lanes. Could there be any dumber reasons to die?

Twice as many teen guys die in car wrecks than teen girls. Just bad luck or is there something else going on here?

Adding just one guy passenger to your car doubles the risk of a crash. Weird, but true.
The more friends you add to your car, the greater the risk of a wreck. Avoid the risk and limit the passengers.
44% of teens say they drive safer without friends in the car. Next time you drive with friends, invite your conscience to ride shot gun.
50% of teens say they wouldn't speak up if a friend was driving recklessly. Hey, grow a backbone!
A lot of teens drive recklessly to impress their date. You won't get a second date if you're 6 feet under.

56% of teens talk on their cell phones while driving, and 13% read or write text messages. Are these distractions worth an ambulance ride to the ER?
Some teens think they'll get pulled over if they don’t drive as fast as everyone else on the freeway. This just in: They won't!
Two-thirds (66%) of teens who die in car wrecks are not buckled up. It's so easy – just make it the first thing you do when you get in a car - as both a driver and passenger.
If you drive between 9 p.m. and midnight, you're twice as likely to get in a crash.
Some of the deadliest days for teen crashes are July 4th, New Year's Eve and the 100 days between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Decide not to become a statistic, and if you're driving during these times, focus, man, focus.