EVERETT — Mark Francis gives the somber talk to teens, time after time.
If they crash a car and kill someone because of a bad choice, they’re not going to jail. It will be prison, said Francis, a Washington State Patrol trooper.
“Forget all your dreams, forget all your aspirations, none of that is going to come true,” he said.
Francis visits high schools throughout the region in hopes of helping teens make better decisions about their driving.
Drugs, alcohol, speed and distraction are all common factors in the deaths of drivers ages 16 to 25, he said.
In 2013, seven young drivers died in wrecks in Snohomish County. More than half of those fatal crashes happened in spring and summer. Passengers died, too.
Troopers call it the “100 Deadliest Days,” roughly calculated between Memorial Day and Labor Day.
Police work with teachers, engineers and hospitals on ways to reduce traffic deaths, Francis said. That includes a focus on young people.
“They’re more likely to make unsafe decisions for the thrill of it,” he said. “They’re more likely not to think about the consequences and not to think ahead. Immaturity and inexperience are the reasons why they are the number one” in speeding, impaired driving and distracted driving.
It’s worse in summer because teens have more free time and more outings with friends, he said. That means driving unfamiliar roads and later at night.
“It’s a recipe for disaster,” he said.
Teens need to hear the safety messages not just from police, but also parents and peers, Francis said. He recommends families sign a “parent-teen driving agreement” — free examples are available online.
Grant money will be used for emphasis patrols this weekend. Troopers in an airplane also will patrol the county.
“Just know that we’re going to be out there and your chances of getting stopped and getting arrested are going to be a lot higher,” Francis said.
Rikki King: 425-339-3449; rking@heraldnet.com.
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