Hoffman Estates Police Department supports Teen Driver Safety Week

This fall, there is an important lesson to be learned in every high school across the country, but it won't be found in any classroom textbook. That lesson: seat belts save lives.

The Hoffman Estates Police Department is teaming up with State Farm Insurance, the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and the "Ride Like A Friend" program for National Teen Driver Safety Week from Oct. 18-24. This public education campaign combats the high number of teen motor vehicle fatalities by convincing more teens to buckle up everyone, every trip, every time.

Each year, thousands of teens are injured or killed in motor vehicle crashes. As a tragic example, in 2008, 16 to 24-year-olds in the United States represented 23 percent of all traffic fatalities, according to the United States Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. While many Illinois teens think they are invincible on the road, they are still at risk, especially if they aren't buckled up. In 2008 alone, 92 Illinois teens were killed in motor vehicle crashes across our state, according to the Illinois Secretary of State.

Unfortunately, we all know teens who continue to put themselves at great risk by taking the "it will never happen to me" attitude, and choosing not to buckle up. But the truth is, fatal crashes killing teens can and do happen to teens every day.

Help us protect Illinois teens by reminding them that whether they are driving across town or just around the neighborhood, wearing a seat belt is the absolute best way to protect them and their passengers from severe injury or even fatalities in the event of a motor vehicle crash.

"Our goal during Teen Driver Safety Week is simple," said assistant Chief of Police Steven Casstevens. "We're going to save more lives by convincing young drivers and passengers, in the front and back seats, to always buckle up. But it is going to take all of us - parents, teachers, neighbors, community leaders, law enforcement officers and teens themselves - working together to make the difference."