Teens have the highest crash rate of any group in the United States, and spring and summer prove especially dangerous for these young drivers. In an effort to keep teens safe on the road, AAA is hosting free vehicle maintenance inspections (and a free lunch) for students at Harding High School on Friday, May 11. 2012.
This event will be held in anticipation of the most deadly period of the year for teen drivers. According to data from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, teen crash deaths start increasing in May and peak in June, July and August, when teens do most of their driving.
AAA says proper vehicle maintenance is an important safety measure for drivers. Such inspections are designed to help avert roadside breakdowns and even crashes. Correcting certain detected problems can also help improve fuel efficiency.
Certified technicians will be out at Marion Harding High School from around 10:30 a.m. to 12:40 p.m. to examine the students’ vehicles for free. During these inspections, the technicians will identify potential problems with vehicle belts, hoses, tires, lights, fluid levels and batteries. After each inspection, the technician will discuss any detected problems with the student.
Students who participate in the inspections will receive a free lunch before heading back to class.
Distracted driving is a growing epidemic on our nation’s roads, and contributes to a quarter of all crashes. A recent study by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety found that electronic devices, such as cell phones, are the leading form of distractions among teen drivers.
To help combat this dangerous behavior, AAA will encourage vehicle maintenance participants to take the Text-Free Driver Pledge. Those who sign the pledge will receive a brochure outlining the dangers of texting while driving and a free wristband that reads “dnt txt n drV.”
The Marion Harding High School vehicle maintenance inspection is part of a series of inspections taking place at high schools throughout AAA Ohio Auto Club’s territory.
More information on teen driving is available at TeenDriving.AAA.com.
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