Chesterfield County parents are reminded of the importance of a parent’s role in guiding a teenager

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — This week in October is National Teen Driver Safety Week.

According to Centers for Disease Control and PreventionTraffic accidents are the leading cause of death among teenagers in the United States.

A mother who lost her 15-year-old son in a car accident spoke to 8News about the importance of this awareness.

“I’ve always thought of driving as a privilege,” Amy Fowler said.

In December 2023, Fowler lost her son Wyatt Fowler, a student at Midlothian High School, in a car accident.

Fowler and four other teenagers were in the car at the time, aged 15, 16, 16, 17 and 17. Chesterfield County Police confirmed that a Chevrolet Impala left the road and struck a tree on Brandermill Parkway near Barnes Spring Road.

Four more teenagers, including the driver, were seriously injured.

“I think the inexperience of teenagers behind the wheel makes them more susceptible to accidents, and you know, I didn’t realize any of that until my own child was killed,” Fowler said.

According to AAA, there were 23,409 accidents involving teenagers in 2023.

Throughout the Central region, according to the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles Electronic Traffic Registration System, or TREDSLast year, there were 564 crashes involving teenagers in Richmond, 747 in Henrico County and 1,048 in Chesterfield County.

“They need to understand that when they get behind the wheel, they’re taking responsibility for every person that’s in their car,” Fowler said.

Fowler added that she has talked to her children before about the dangers of drinking or drugged driving and told 8News that speeding is a topic parents should discuss with their children as well.

To learn more about National Teen Driver Safety Week, click here.