GRAVETTE — Car accidents are the leading cause of death for 15- to 19-year-olds in the United States - and in Arkansas the statistics are even more dismal.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention designated Oct. 18-24 National Teen Driver Safety Week to focus attention on this problem. Teens whose parents place early limits on their driving privileges get fewer tickets and have fewer wrecks than their peers.

Beginning this month, Arkansas’ youngest drivers also face new legal restrictions thanks to a graduated licensing law passed by the state legislature last spring.

In addition, earlier this year the Arkansas Foundation for Medical Care, Arkansas Medicaid and the Injury Prevention Center for Arkansas Children’s Hospital launched an effort to educate parents about the simple steps they can take to keep their children safe from car accidents and other unintentional injuries. The project includes a fact sheet about safe driving practices and a sample contract parents and teens can fill out together to establish rules for safe driving.

The fact sheet and contract are available for free download at www.afmc. org/teendrivers.

News, Pages 8 on 10/28/2009