Illinois Injury Law Blog

Parents worry about their teenage children this time of year as they may spend a little extra time driving on Illinois roadways while they are on winter break from school. Not only are roadways a little more congested and subject to winter weather conditions, but the chances of coming into contact with a drunk driver is higher this time of year. No parent wants to risk losing their child in a Illinois teen car accident caused by a distracted or intoxicated driver around the holidays.

Chicago personal injury lawyers understand the importance of keeping an open dialogue with your teen about driving safely because it can have an impact on choices they may make later with regard to taking a risky chance while driving or answering a text when they should be focused on the road.

The National Safety Council (NSC) hopes that parental communication and the initiation and implementation of the HEARTS Network can start to help teens understand the dangerous risks that they take behind the wheel and curb the urge to take unnecessary chances so that roadways can become safer for all users.

HEARTS Network stands for Honoring Everyone Affected, Rallying The Survivors. The NSC is asking anyone who has been affected by a teen car accident to share their personal story as it relates to survival or tragedy by joining the HEARTS Network.

Nationally, more than 15 people die in a crash daily involving a teen driver. Pedestrians, bicyclists, passengers and other motorists are all affected each day when a crash with a teen driver occurs. In fact, roughly two-thirds of the victims who lose their life in a crash involving someone between the ages of 15-17 are not a teen driver.

An NSC spokesman says that sharing stories of survival can hopefully help take away the risks of future crashes and the number one killer of teens nationwide. Participants of the network are being given the opportunity to relate their story within the community and spare other families from having to go through the same grief of losing a child. HEARTS members may also seize the opportunity to work with other traffic safety leaders to improve teen driving issues in their own community.

Illinois is one of 10 states that is currently receiving support from the NSC and funding from the Allstate Foundation for advocacy groups geared toward young drivers like Teen Safe Driving Coalitions. Other states receiving funding include New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Florida, Minnesota, Tennessee, Texas and California. Members of the HEARTS Network are encouraged to get the message out in order to reduce teen tragedies by getting involved and advocating with traffic safety groups nationwide.

In 2009, over 5,600 people died in a teen-related car crash. The HEARTS Network shares the story behind the tragedy and the morbid statistics that affect so many people nationwide.

If you have been affected by a teen car crash and want to relate your story to others in your community join the HEARTS Network. Educate and influence others about the life-long impact a tragedy can have on a family and connect with other survivors that can relate to your story.

More information and how to join can be found online at NSC HEARTS Network.