The Fourth of July is traditionally the deadliest day on the road for teenagers.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reports more than 800 people were killed on July 4 from 2006 to 2010. Ten percent of those involved teenagers.
The Washington State Patrol says a lot of the problems stem from distractions behind the wheel – talking or goofing around with friends, text messaging or even changing the radio station.
"Driving has become secondary in our lives, period. We want to get from Point A to Point B and that's it. We don't think about the ramifications if we get involved in a crash," said Trooper Keith Leary. "It would be a tragedy to see a beautiful day, Fourth of July holiday, end with a serious injury or a fatal car crash," said Trooper Keith Leary.
Leary says a simple message from parents to their kids can make a big difference.
"Parents should know who's in that car, even talk to the passengers in the car, say 'Hey. You guys have got to get there safely.' It doesn't have to be a long dissertation. It just has to be a simple message saying 'Get there. Get there safely and avoid all the distractions that are in the car.'"
