CCSO release - Hey Coos County parents, guardians, and young drivers—let's talk about something that hits close to home: road safety. Traffic crashes are the #1 killer of teens aged 15-20, and their inexperience behind the wheel makes them extra vulnerable. As your local Sheriff's Office, we're committed to keeping our roads safe, especially for our youth. Here are some sobering 2023 stats from NHTSA: -2,611 people killed in crashes involving a teen (15-18) driver, including 822 teen drivers themselves. -604 of those were passengers—377 (62%) were other teens riding with a teen driver. -Of those teen passengers killed: 67% male, 33% female. Plus, 87,074 teen drivers injured. Risky behaviors like alcohol/drug use, skipping seat belts, distracted driving, extra passengers, speeding, and drowsy driving? They're the culprits. But here's the good news: YOU can make a difference! Parents, you're the MVPs here. Model safe driving, set firm rules, and chat openly about risks—surveys show teens with strict guidelines drive smarter and crash less. Remind them of Oregon's graduated driver licensing laws and the real consequences. Teens, buckle up, put the phone down, and drive like lives depend on it—because they do. For more tips and resources, head to: www.nhtsa.gov/road-safety/teen-driving #TeenDriverSafety #CoosCountySafe #DriveSmart