State Farm issues Spring Break safety tips

As schools across the state of Alabama let out for spring break, State Farm, the state’s largest auto insurer, is encouraging parents to stress the importance of teen driver safety this week. Alabama’s highways will not only fill with its own students headed towards our beaches, crowds from around the country are already in the state enjoying the Gulf coast. “Unfortunately, there has already been a report of a deadly accident involving a young spring break vacationer,” says State Farm spokesman Roszell Gadson. State Farm is encouraging young travelers to keep a few things in mind as they hit the road this spring.

Distracted Driving is Dangerous – Though many states have banned teenagers from texting while driving, many continue to do so. Driving requires the full attention of the teen behind the wheel and through some positive peer pressure, teens can encourage their friends to focus on the road and stay alive.

Never Drive Under the Influence of Alcohol – According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, 10,322 people died in drunk-driving accidents in 2012. Car crashes are the leading cause of death for teens, and one out of three of those are alcohol related. Do not be one of these statistics and never get in a car driven by someone who has been drinking.

Stay Alert, Stay Alive – The long trips many drivers make over the holiday can be tiring. Drivers and passengers need to make sure the driver is fully alert and not feeling drowsy. Drivers should stop periodically in a safe location, get out of their car and walk around. Passengers should check on the driver and make sure they are fully alert. It is better to pull over and rest for a while than to push on and risk falling asleep behind the wheel.

Watch your Valuables – Spring break is a prime time for car thieves to break into vehicles and steal what is inside. Keep your valuables on your person as much as possible and do not leave high-value items inside the car in plain sight. Laptops, iPods and cell phones are prime targets and should be hidden, secured or carried with you at all times.

Spring break can be a great time; just use caution to make sure your vacation is a good one.