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TO PROCLAIM MAY AS "PRECIOUS CARGO" MONTH, ENCOURAGING SOUTH CAROLINA TEENS TO BUCKLE UP AND SLOW DOWN.
Whereas, the National Organization for Youth Safety, a non-profit coalition of youth led and youth serving national organizations, has proclaimed May as National Youth Traffic Safety Month; and
Whereas, according to various government groups and statistics, including the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration-National Center for Health Statistics, the Center for Disease Control, and the Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety, motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for teenagers; and
Whereas, in 2006, over twelve percent of all drivers involved in fatal crashes were young drivers ages sixteen to nineteen years old, and sixteen percent of all drivers involved in police-reported crashes were young drivers; and
Whereas, teens are more likely than older drivers to speed, and compared with other age groups, teens have the lowest rate of safety belt use; and
Whereas, as a potential strategy to increase safety belt use among teens, education on the current safety belt laws and the consequences for safety belt violations is vital; and
Whereas, South Carolina currently has the eighth highest overall highway fatality rate in the nation; and
Whereas, promoting teen driving safety by reminding teens they are "precious cargo" and encouraging them to buckle up and slow down can have a positive effect on the youth drivers of South Carolina. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the Senate, the House of Representatives concurring:
That the South Carolina General Assembly proclaim May as "Precious Cargo" Month, encouraging South Carolina teens to buckle up and slow down.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to Melle Morgan, Miss Tri-County Teen, 2008.
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