July 3, 2012—July 4 is one of the deadliest days for teens and adults on the road, and the Allstate Foundation is encouraging drivers to stay safe during the holiday.
The Allstate Foundation cited data from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) showing that more than 800 people were killed on July 4 from 2006 to 2010, making July one of the deadliest months on the road for drivers.
Teens account for nearly 10 percent of the fatalities that occur on July 4, according to a press release_notes from Allstate. Research from the Allstate Foundation showed 49 percent of teens report texting is their biggest distraction behind the wheel.
"These tragedies are compounded by the fact that many crashes are preventable," said Tracie Bibb, an Allstate agent based in St. Louis, Mo. "Driver error, speeding and distractions are the main causes of crashes, and seemingly simple activities such as switching radio stations or interacting with friends can significantly impair a teen's or adult's ability to react quickly to changing traffic conditions. Staying focused on the road, wearing seat belts and following the speed limit and other road rules are simple steps we can all take this July 4 to make sure that we return home safely."
