PERSONAL INJURY 101: Teen Deaths Rise Due to Cell Phone Use While Driving
In response to a growing number of accidents involving inexperienced drivers talking or texting of their cell phone, the National Transportation Safety Board called for a ban of drivers with learner’s permits or intermediate licenses from using cell phones, pagers or any other electronic device while driving.
We all know too well the dangers associated with young inexperienced drivers on the road. We are disheartened to hear that a recent study showed that wrongful auto deaths of teen drivers rose 20% over the past six months.
It’s just not possible to pay proper attention to the road when looking at a cell phone, and it’s frightening to see people drive similar to someone who has been under the influence of alcohol. In one bad decision, lives can be shattered.
This year, sadly, teen driver deaths have risen, as last year demonstrated a 3% percent increase, ending an eight year reduction. Experts relate the increase in teen auto accident wrongful deaths to a turn-around in the country’s economy.
When a families’ income is higher, they tend to drive more. Other causes include distracted driving will lessen with the passing of a recent law prohibiting texting while driving.
Auto accidents involving teen deaths were not the only related rise in auto accidents. Traffic fatalities are expected to rise approximately 8% the next year. We can only hope that we continue to pass common sense bills, like the texting ban, to get back to reductions in needless deaths.
Using a cell phone when driving is a very risky. Texting while driving is an even higher risk. We now know that cell phone use is a factor in many more crashes than texting. Talk to your teens about the risks. Help your teens stay safe on the road by discussing the life and death consequences of using their cell phone while driving. We urge all drivers to stay alert and drive defensively.
