Teen traffic deaths in county 'reduced to zero' in 2006
By Lizz Harold Staff Writer

Vehicle crashes have been named the No. 1 killer of teenagers in this nation.

The Governors Highway Safety Association and the Ford Motor Company agree with statistics that state that collisions account for more teenage deaths between the ages of 16-20 than in recent years.

The rate of collision related deaths in the county has fluctuated in the past two years. The year of 2004 saw six total traffic deaths, one of which was a teenager.

In 2005 there were 213 traffic fatalities in North Carolina among teenagers below the age of 21, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHSTA), Of the 213 deaths in North Carolina in 2005, three were in Cherokee County.

This year, as of late October, there have been no teenage deaths on Cherokee County roads and only three deaths in total in the 21-40+ age group.

Based upon the data provided by the NHSTA, it appeared that teen motor vehicle deaths in Cherokee County have been reduced to zero as of this year.

Local Sheriff Keith Lovin, a retired Highway Patrol officer, has witnessed countless vehicular collisions and said that he has seen the tragedy of losing young people first hand.

"The focus on youth with emphasis towards safety issues was lost in the hustle and bustle of things," said Sheriff Lovin.

He said that a wealth of safety issues once lost public attention, but that with teen crash deaths decreasing, a new positive light is being shed on young drivers.

"The graduated license laws, seatbelt laws, and better awareness has drawn attention to young people once again," he said.

Local and national authorities alike have begun to take notice of driving safety awareness.

Drivingskillsforlife.com is a website put out by the Ford Motor Company and the Governors Highway Safety Association.

The website, created in 2003, is responsible for providing driving safety lesson plans, tips, and promotions for teens and teachers across the country. It has sent out it's information and lessons free of charge to every public high school in North Carolina.

Bill Jamieson, spokesperson for the website, said that it's free materials and kits have been requested from educators in North Carolina.

"The skills provided on the website do not replace drivers education," Jamieson commented, " The skills enhance a driver 's training and warn of safety hazards."

A teen driver's safety in Cherokee County has become a priority that has paid off. With public awareness and national action into play, the future of teenage drivers in Cherokee County appears to be in safe hands.