Virginia Sees Surge In Teen Driver Deaths

The number of teenaged drivers killed in Virginia so far this year is up sharply over the same period in 2011, prompting safety advocates to urge precautions to parents and new drivers.

Preliminary figures show that 11 young people between the ages of 16 and 20 died in crashes around the Commonwealth over the first three and a half weeks of the year, compared with just three fatalities during that period a year ago.

In an effort to stop the trend, a group called Youth of Virginia Speak Out About Traffic Safety is joining forces with the Blue Ridge Regional Crash Investigation Team to advocate safety behind the wheel.  They're urging teens to obey the speed limit, to refrain from texting or talking on a cell phone while driving, and to always wear a seat belt.

They say parents should set clear rules and consequences for unsafe driving and then follow through.