Once a teenager turns that magical age of 16, they feel that they have reached that transition to adulthood with a driver’s license, but many teen drivers often cause accidents because of distractions like their cell phone, conversations, and even stereos and dash electronics. Distracted driving is a problem that exists for many drivers but teenagers often have the attitude that they are invincible, making it difficult to convince them that they can’t handle the demands of driving along with the demands of their incoming texts and phone calls.
A study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention revealed that driver distraction is a common problem for many teen drivers. While this may not be surprising, given the fact that teens tend to be glued to their mobile devices, the survey did show that 45 percent of students out of 8,505 surveyed admitted texting while driving, which should alert parents to the real dangers and risks of their child causing an accident in which someone is seriously injured or killed. It is important for teens to avoid cell phone use while driving and to understand the consequences, should they cause an accident.
By parents taking the time to instill good driving behavior in their teen drivers, they can lower the risk of car accidents caused by distracted teens. Victims of distracted drivers can be permanently disfigured or handicapped, requiring multiple surgeries and years of therapy. If someone is the victim of a distracted driver, they may find it helpful to meet with an experienced attorney who can help them understand their rights and options.
Source: KPBS, “Teens Who Text And Drive Often Take Other Risks,” Nancy Shute, May 13, 2013