Car Surfing Craze Linked to Deaths of Two Teens.

The death of two teens in a fiery crash in Florida (FL) has drawn attention to a dangerous craze that is gaining in popularity - car surfing - according to the wftv.com. TV station.

 

The authorities believe at least one of two teens who died in the Central Florida crash may have been 'car surfing' on the SUV's running boards.

 

Two teens died when the 18-year-old driver lost control of the vehicle last week. It rolled over and burst into flames.

 

Volusia County Sheriff's officials say the teen who was riding on the running board died at the scene. A second teen, who deputies believe was trying to get back inside the vehicle, died at Halifax Health Medical Center in Daytona Beach (FL).

 

Florida has made car surfing an offense.

 

This is a tragic and seemingly avoidable tragedy. Teens are a high risk age group for road accidents. We have reported on a number of preventable deaths of teenagers including the deaths of two teens in North Carolina (NC) last year who were speeding and not wearing seat belts.

 

A number of studies suggest young drivers are more likely to be involved in a road crash than any other age group.

 

Teens are also more likely to be involved in distracted driving be it texting, cell phone use or car surfing.

 

According to an article published in the October 17, 2008, issue of Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, since 1990 at least 99 people died or sustained serious injuries as a result of car surfing, an activity that involves riding on the outside of a moving vehicle.

 

Our firm recently highlighted what Virginia Beach (VA) police are doing to teach safe driving to teenagers. See this msnbc.com video on the dangers of car surfing.

 

DM