It's common knowledge that teenagers have a greater chance of becoming involved in an auto accident than any other age group, except the very old. Most of this has to do with experience. What drivers are aware of after they've driven several hundreds of miles over a long period of time is news to teenagers. However, there are certain things teens do simply because they're teens. While speaking on a cell phone and speeding are not limited to teens, their lack of experience makes it more likely there will be a bad outcome.

It is for this reason that the Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles is introducing a safe driving contract that parents and their teens will sign. It contains a series of agreements, such as no cell phone use, no speeding, and no loud music while driving. It also lays out consequences if these agreements are broken. The ultimate reason for this is to lower the number of auto accidents involving teen drivers and their passengers. DMV Commissioner Robert Ward says teen drivers are three to four times more likely to be involved in an accident than are more experienced drivers.

While tougher driving laws for teens went into effect earlier this year, the driving contracts are simply a way for parents to speak to their teenagers about some of these issues. Ward also states that they would like to hear from teen drivers about making suggestions for driver safety because teens would rather hear from their peers and not someone like their parents or their parents' age.

For those not in Connecticut, the contract can be found on the Allstate website. If you have been involved in an auto accident with a teenager, please contact an experienced personal injury lawyer in your area.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported today that 2007 can boast the lowest amount of traffic deaths in over a decade. Traffic fatalities dropped 1,600 from 2006 to a relatively low 41, 059. This fatality rate is 1.37 for every 100 million miles traveled, and therefore the lowest on record. Transportation Secretary Mary Peters states the reasons for the drop include "safer vehicles, aggressive law enforcement and [NHTSA] efforts."

California saw the lowest decline with 266 fewer deaths than 2006, but the largest percentage decreases were in South Dakota and Vermont. On the other hand, deaths in North Carolina increased 121 from 2006. Also disappointing for Secretary Peters is that motorcycle deaths have increased for the tenth straight year.

Reasons for the increase in motorcycle fatalities may be attributed to the massive increase in riders and in miles traveled. Because fuel prices are high, many people have traded driving their car or truck for a motorcycle. The inexperience of the riders may also play a part in the fatalities. Officials said they plan on an aggressive anti-drunk driving campaign set to launch before the Labor Day holiday.

President of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Adrian Lund believes the drop in deaths is due to the economy. Again, gas prices were cited, although they really didn't begin to increase until this year, but the general sluggishness of the economy was also mentioned. Lund believes nest year's fatality rate will drop again.

This report comes amid another report that Americans are driving much less than they did at this time last year, or any year, since the oil embargo of the 1970s.