For decades, car accidents have been one of the leading causes of preventable accidental death among teenagers in the United States. In fact, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety says that, in 2013, motor vehicle collisions claimed the lives of 2,524 teens. That makes the fatal crash rate per mile for teen drivers nearly three times higher than that of motorists over age 20. Statistics like these may leave you wondering what’s being done to educate and protect teenagers from the dangers of car accidents. The Buffalo car accident injury attorneys at William Mattar Law Offices point out that the New York State Police are launching a new safety campaign called “The Empty Chair”. The Empty Chair program focuses on the symbolism behind a single empty chair representing the one student who, statistically, will not graduate with his or her class due to a fatal motor vehicle collision. According to Time Warner Cable News, the campaign brings attention to a different danger teen motorists face on the road each day for a week, including driving under the influence, speeding, and distracted driving. At William Mattar Law Offices, we applaud The Empty Chair program as a way to keep our state’s teen drivers safe. Our Buffalo personal injury lawyers also encourage parents to get involved. Talk to your teen driver about the importance of driving defensively and lead by example by obeying the rules of the road.
New York State Police Kick Off “The Empty Chair” Campaign