Teen Distracted Drivers: Does Raising Awareness Make Them Safer?

The hazards of distracted driving are well known across the country.

2010-08-26

August 26, 2010 (Press-News.org) The hazards of distracted driving are well known across the country. Cell phone use and texting while driving receive plenty of well deserved attention, but everything from eating to changing radio stations or talking with a carload of friends can distract a driver's focus from the road ahead and lead to serious injuries or a fatal motor vehicle accident. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that as many as 6,000 highway deaths each year result from distracted driving. A recent survey shows that teens are increasingly aware of the increased risks of these activities, but they aren't necessarily taking the message to heart.

A survey conducted by Seventeen magazine and the America Automobile Association (AAA) found that the nation's teens have not stopped texting while driving despite their knowledge of its dangers. Almost ninety percent of teenage drivers admit to texting while driving, although about the same proportion understands that their actions increase their risk of a collision. A significant percentage of teens provided simple excuses for their distracted driving practices:
- 41 percent justify it on the basis that it only takes a split second
- 35 percent do not believe that they will get hurt
- 22 percent feel it makes driving less boring
- 21 percent are accustomed to having constant connections with friends and family

At the same time, 36 percent of teens reported experiencing a near-crash because of their own distracted driving or another driver's. AAA advises drivers that taking your eyes off of the road for a mere two seconds doubles your risk of a car or truck accident.

Wider Adoption of Legal Consequences for Negligent Drivers

Many states have enacted bans on texting and cell phone use, including some legislation that singles out easily distracted teen drivers. Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana are representative of the range of progress in implementing laws to hold motorists accountable for distracted driving practices. Kentucky currently bans texting by all drivers and cell phone use by novice drivers, while Indiana forbids phone use and texting by drivers under 18. But bordering Ohio is one of a dwindling number of states that have yet to ban either practice statewide.

Distracted driving is just one of many road hazards that can lead to unexpected injuries and tragedy for a family. For those who feel that they were harmed due to the wrongdoing or recklessness of another driver, an experienced personal injury attorney can provide insight about a range of legal options to recover medical expenses and other damages.

Article provided by Gregory S. Young Co., L.P.A.
Visit us at www.younginjurylaw.com

ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:

Mediating the Aftermath of the BP Oil Spill

2010-08-26

The Deepwater Horizon oil well beneath the Gulf of Mexico may now be securely capped, and the potential for further environmental and economic damage may have diminished. But the process of resolving civil claims for anyone whose livelihood was harmed by the disaster has just begun. Attorney Kenneth Feinberg was recently appointed by President Obama to administer the $20 billion fund established by BP to provide compensation for fishermen, resort owners, boat operators and other parties who sustained damages due to the millions of barrels of crude oil that spewed into ...

Disabled Workers Still Face Discrimination in the Workplace

2010-08-26

In the 20 years since the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was passed, the world has advanced enormously in accommodating people with mental or physical impairments. Buildings are more accessible; offering automatic doors, wheelchair ramps and added room for maneuvering. Many businesses now offer lower countertops and employers have installed higher desks to assist disabled persons. The implementation of handicapped parking places today make it easier for disabled people to get in and out of public or commercial structures. Unfortunately, oftentimes the physical ...

Impact of McDonald on Wisconsin Gun Laws

2010-08-26

The Supreme Court of the United States recently addressed the question of whether the Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms is applicable to the States. In McDonald v. Chicago, the Court answered affirmatively, ruling that the protection applies to the states under the due process clause of the 14th Amendment. In McDonald, the Court assessed the constitutionality of a city-wide ban on private ownership of handguns. The Court previously held, in District of Columbia v. Heller, that the Second Amendment protects the right to possess a handgun in the home for the ...

Should Cannabis Have a Place in Custody Disputes?

2010-08-26

The use of medical marijuana, legal in 14 states, is at issue in heated custody battles around the country. Parents and guardians seeking custody argue that since possessing, growing or using cannabis or any derivative thereof is still illegal under federal law, it should be considered by the court. Many family law judges (even those in states like Washington, whose medical marijuana law - section 69.51A of the Revised Code of Washington - specifically bars patients from being "penalized in any manner or denied any right or privilege") are being forced to factor in medically ...

Same-Sex Sexual Harassment Is on the Rise

2010-08-26

One image that people have when they hear the term "sexual harassment" is of a man being accused of sexually harassing a woman. However, all across the country more and more men are coming forward with claims that they have been harassed, often times by other men. In 2008 13,867 charge receipts of sexual harassment were filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). Of those, approximately 16% were filed by men, more than double the number of claims filed by men a decade earlier. Part of the reason for the influx of claims by men is that claims of ...

npower Backs Wear Your Shirt to Work Day

2010-08-26

npower in Worcester is taking part in a nationwide 'Wear Your Shirt to Work' day to mark 100 days to go until the official decision by FIFA of who will host the World Cup in 2018. npower is an official supporter of the England 2018 FIFA World Cup Bid, and will be urging all of its 12,000 staff to get behind the campaign. Wear Your Shirt to Work day also coincides with a tour of some of the potential host cities by a delegation from football governing body, FIFA. Wear Your Shirt to Work day is an initiative driven by the England 2018 Bid team and involves employees ...

Debenhams Reveals Shoppers are Pocketing Luggage Charges

2010-08-26

Debenhams has revealed that instead of paying expensive charges for stowing cases in the hold of the plane, canny holidaymakers are using their free hand luggage allowance and "wearing" the rest of their baggage. The fashion retailer has seen sales of coats and jackets with multiple pockets rise by as much as 350% over the summer holiday period. The retailer is putting the new trend down to reports from the shop floor that customers prefer to pack heavier items such as books, towels, electronic net books and cameras, into large pocketed garments, rather than pay fees ...

Radisson Blu Hotel and Spa Launches Dedicated Spa Guestrooms

2010-08-26

The Radisson Blu hotel and Spa in Limerick is always looking for ways to improve their guests experiences, and with this in mind they have launched their new concept: dedicated spa guestrooms. The spa guestrooms in the Limerick hotel will include deluxe Elemis beauty products, fluffy bathrobes and slippers, mineral water and a glossy magazine. The upgrades are offered on all of their luxury Spa breaks. "In this highly competitive market, we have had to come up with new ways of enticing our Spa guests to stay with us," said Tom Shanahan, Director of Sales and Marketing ...

Debenhams Highlights Staggering Sales Rise in Low Necklines for Men

2010-08-26

Debenhams has reported that for the first time men are using to their advantage what women have known for hundreds of years - that a low neckline can have a hypnotic effect on the opposite sex, sending sales of low cut v-necks and their like spiralling. Inspired by the successes, romantic and otherwise, of the likes of JLS, Peter Andre and Russell Brand, British men are snapping up tops with low necklines - to wear themselves. Sales of revealing men's tops have doubled over the past year, according to fashion store Debenhams. No longer opting for the standard crew ...

MyLondonInfo Now Listing Upwards of 1,000 Restaurants

2010-08-26

MyLondonInfo has announced it now boasts a list of more than 1,000 restaurants in the Central London region. Having partnered with livebookings.com, the MyLondonInfo website now offers an online booking functionality for the majority of these restaurants. Not only will users be able to book their preferred time and venue but they will also be able to take advantage of special offers and deals made available by the restaurants. Now in its second year, MyLondonInfo is keen to offer its listed restaurants the opportunity to interact electronically with their customers. ...

BioCompNet: a deep learning workflow enabling automated body composition analysis toward precision management of cardiometabolic disorders

Nonlinear association between systemic immune-inflammation index and in-hospital mortality in critically ill patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and atrial fibrillation: a cross-sectio

Teen Distracted Drivers: Does Raising Awareness Make Them Safer?

ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:

LAST 30 PRESS RELEASES: