Using 2014 data, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has concluded that car accidents are the leading cause of death among teenagers between the ages of 16 and 19 in America. The total number of deaths was 2,270, which is about six teenage driver death every day. Another 220,000+ teens in the same age group were seriously injured in car accidents. It is believed that driver distraction is the number one cause of these car accidents.
Distractions to Teen Drivers
Smartphones are at the center of distracted driving collisions. Just about every teenager with a driver’s license or permit also has a cellphone. The habits of texting, browsing posts, and selecting music can become deadly when done behind the wheel. The AAA Foundation determined that each time a teenage driver picks up their cellphone, even for a brief moment, they are actually distracted for a full 27 seconds. This distracted state leaves the driver unaware of the road conditions.
New technology is not the only reason that distracts a teen driver. Conversations with passengers–especially teenage males–can increase the risk of a car accident. . Eating, drinking, putting on makeup, doing homework, and even changing clothes while driving were also commonly noted among teenage drivers.
Trying to Curb Teenage Car Accident Statistics
Health and safety organizations agree that teaching teenagers safe, non-distracted driving habits starts with parents. The organizations encourage parents to sit down with their children and have a productive conversation about safe driving. Leading by example is also crucial, so parents should never engage in distractions while their children are in the car.
The CDC website provides additional information on teen distracted driving. For legal representation and counsel after being hurt in a car accident caused by a teen driver, people in the Bay Area should call (415) 940-7176 to speak with Rouda Feder Tietjen & McGuinn and our San Francisco personal injury attorneys.