Summer of 2010 has finally arrived! From going out to seeing new movies to visiting the lake, there are plenty of things to keep you busy. Although there are things to do and so many places to be, we must remember one thing: be careful.

We are currently in the midst the 100 most dangerous driving days of the year. It is estimated that 37,000 traffic deaths occur between Memorial Day and Labor Day, not to mention the hundreds of thousands of serious injuries that also come from these dangerous accidents. Although we may not always at fault, there are things we can do to protect ourselves and others as we drive this summer. So buckle up and get ready to learn some safe tips!

1. First of all, buckle up and make sure that everyone in your car is also buckled up. Trust me, seatbelts save lives.
2. Then focus! Driving is serious business! Also try to keep a limited amount of passengers in your car. It has been proven that it is more difficult to concentrate when there are more people present. Before you even begin to think about getting behind the wheel, be 100% sure that you are physically, emotionally, and mentally stable to get on the road.
3. Do not drive impaired! It is not safe to drive under the influence of absolutely anything. This includes illegal drugs (please don’t do them at any time: Be Smart!), any antibiotics or medications, and/or alcohol. As teenagers our brains haven’t fully developed and we are not yet at the legal drinking age so it is important to remember that we should avoid alcohol at ALL TIMES.
4. Aside from not driving impaired, I also know that as a teenager there are many other distractions. We have problems with our families, work, boyfriends/girlfriends, and the list goes on, but whatever it is that may be distracting you, leave it outside of the car. You can’t be distracted when you’re on the road because you have a precious life to take care of and you may have others to protect as well.
5. Make sure the conditions outside are also safe to drive in. Driving in bad weather can be very dangerous and if you can avoid it. You cannout out-run a tornado or thunderstorm!
6. Speeding definitely kills! We all know that but as a teenager, I’ll admit I’ve sometimes ignored these speed limit signs and as much as I hate to say it, they are there for a reason. They tell us the safest limit and driving at the suggested speed does reduce the chances of you being in an accident. I know we sometimes feel the need for speed but that need injures millions and has lead to death! Yes, that’s right -- I said the word death! I know we sometimes think that death only comes when we’re old; unfortunately, accidents prove every day that isn’t the reality.Thousands of teenagers die every year in fatal accidents, many of them that could’ve been prevented, which leads me to one of the biggest problems we are facing:
7. Texting while driving! Do Not Even Think About It! Texting while driving has become a leading cause of car accidents and death among teenagers. It’s hard to believe that sending a simple message could lead to a serious accident, but you better believe it. Just by taking your eyes off the road for one second could lead to a lifetime of pain and regret or no life at all for you or others. If sending one message is so important, pull over to the side and send it. Don’t risk your life to tell your friends what the plans are for tonight. DO NOT TEXT AND DRIVE! 

These 100 days of summer are very dangerous but protect yourself and others by being a smart driver. Make good decisions and go out and have a good time. Jump in the car and instead of taking the road to a risky summer, take the road to a lifetime of happiness. 

Enjoy the summer but remember to be great, be smart, and be SAFE.