Christy Schultz, the mother of a Colorado teen who tragically died in a crash in 2020, is using National Teen Driver Safety Week to highlight the importance of teen driver safety. Data from the Colorado Department of Transportation reveals an alarming increase in crashes involving teenagers, with over 8,000 teen drivers being involved in crashes in the state so far this year. Schultz lost her 15-year-old daughter, Samantha “Sammie” Raye, in a crash caused by a newer driver missing a turn, leading to Sammie being fatally thrown from the vehicle.
Since her daughter’s passing, Schultz has been dedicated to raising awareness about teen driving safety through her foundation, Sammie Sunshine. CDOT reports that speeding and seat belt use are major concerns for teen drivers, with speeding being a factor in 30% of fatal crashes involving teens and 50% of teen drivers who died not wearing a seat belt. CDOT’s traffic safety manager, Sam Cole, emphasizes the importance of parents having conversations with their teens about safe driving practices and being role models themselves.
In 2023, there were 119 fatal crashes involving young drivers in Colorado, and so far in 2024, 38 teen drivers have died on the road. CDOT provides tips for parents and teens to promote safe driving habits, including having open conversations about driving laws, enforcing laws with teens, setting an example of safe driving, addressing cell phone use, and discussing the risks of impaired driving and distracted driving. National Teen Driver Safety Week aims to encourage families to prioritize safe driving practices to prevent further tragedies on the road.
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