"Car Surfing" Surges in Popularity- Have You Talked To Your Teen?

"Car Surfing" is the act of climbing out of a moving car and onto the roof.  Other related, and equally dangerous activities include skitching, when a person rides a skateboard while being towed by a vehicle, and ghost riding, where the driver of a car gets out of his or her moving vehicle and stands on the roof.  All three represent a real danger to anybody that chooses to attempt them.  Teens are the most likely to try such stunts and they are often egged on by friends and the popularity of videos showing successful car surfing, skitching and ghost riding. 

However, the CDC reports that there have been 58 deaths and 41 injuries related to car surfing alone.  Earlier this year a Kewaunee, Wisconsin teen was seriously injured when he fell to the ground while car surfing. 

As personal injury attorneys and parents we know all too well the dangerous situation children get themselves into.  You have likely spoken with your teen about the dangers of texting and driving and drinking and driving.  However, have you talked to them about car surfing?  If not please do so.  Share with them the numerous deaths and injuries caused by this dangerous trend. Though we cannot be with our teenagers every moment of their lives, we can give them the information they need to, hopefully, make the right choices.