Prom season prompts warning from State Patrol

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) – With prom season getting underway and graduations coming soon, law enforcement is issuing its annual reminders about inexperienced young drivers taking to the roads.

“When you have a youthful driver that lacks that experience, they also lack experience with crashes or knowing how to handle a car,” said Sgt. Bridgett Matt, with the Ohio State Highway Patrol.

Last year, the Ohio State Highway Patrol investigated more than 1,400 accidents involving teenaged or youthful drivers in our area, nearly 500 in Trumbull County, 700 in Mahoning and 230 in Columbiana. So far this year, troopers have handled 415 teen-related crashes across the three counties.

Officials blame following too closely and excessive speed for a lot of the accidents as well as distracted driving.

“The distracted driving offenses that we see are heavily concentrated in the younger generation, in the younger demographic,” Matt said.

Troopers, local police and other first responders often stage mock crashes for high school students, but they stress the events where teenagers can play the roles of injured victims can only do so much.

“We can educate them about the dangers of unsafe driving, but that conversation should really begin at home,” Matt said.

Troopers say parents and guardians should stress safe driving habits with their younger drivers, especially avoiding alcohol or other substances and getting behind the wheel.

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