Rep. Foster offered the following resolution:

House Resolution No. 248.

            A resolution to declare October 20-26, 2013, as Teen Driver Safety     Week in the state of  Michigan.

            Whereas, Motor vehicle crashes remain the primary cause of death for teenagers and many of these deaths are preventable; and

Whereas, Three out of five accidental deaths for teens ages 16-20 are due to motor vehicle       crashes; and

Whereas, Teen drivers are four times more likely than adult drivers to be involved in a fatal motor vehicle crash; and

Whereas, Teen drivers should expect support in driving from a trusted adult; and

Whereas, Teens that say their parents set rules and support them are half as likely to crash as teens who say their parents are not involved; and

Whereas, Driving too fast for road conditions, being distracted, and failing to detect a hazard are three common errors accounting for nearly half of all serious teen crashes; and

Whereas, Nineteen percent of fatal teen crashes are due to drunk driving; and

Whereas, Approximately two-thirds of adolescents killed in motor vehicle accidents do not use  seatbelts; and

Whereas, The presence of teen passengers increases the crash risk of unsupervised teen drivers and this risk increases with the number of teen passengers; and

Whereas, The crash risk is especially high during the first year that teenagers are eligible to drive; and

Whereas, It is imperative to examine effective ways to reduce the crash risk for young adults by focusing research and outreach efforts on encouraging safe teen driving habits; and

Whereas, Officially recognizing the third week of October as Teen Driver Safety Week in Michigan is expected to raise awareness of these important statistics and issues; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the House of Representatives, That the members of this legislative body declare October 20-26, 2013, as Teen Driver Safety Week in the state of Michigan. We support the goals and ideals of Teen Driver Safety Week in advocating for the support of parents in teaching their children to drive responsibly. We encourage the people of Michigan to properly observe such a week with activities and programs that promote safe teen driving among licensed teen drivers.