Texting Teens Lead Distracted Driving Trend

November 03, 2011

New School Year Brings New Dangers to Oklahoma City Roadways

With the end of summer comes the beginning of a new school year and the annual transportation challenge each family must face: how to get the kids to and from school. Though younger students often walk, bike, carpool or ride the bus, older students are hitting the streets in a different way. For many teenagers, the school year provides opportunity for them to get behind the wheel, gain some independence and practice their driving skills.

The unfortunate truth is that many of these teen drivers will put themselves and others at risk for serious injury or even death due to their inexperience driving, invincible attitudes and reckless behaviors. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) identifies teenagers as the age group with the greatest proportion of distracted drivers with statistics revealing teen drivers involved in three to four times as many distracted driving accidents as older drivers often because of inattentive driving practices.

Cell Phone Use a Significant Distraction for Teens

Distracted driving is defined as any non-driving activity that diverts attention from the primary task of driving. According to Missouri Highway Patrol Captain Tim Hull, "Anything you do that takes your attention away from the full-time task of driving is dangerous. Whether that is texting, talking on the phone, changing the radio station or changing a song on your iPod, it takes your eyes off the road. Texting is the latest thing that's creating issues and becoming a major distraction."

Teenagers are the first to admit that cell phones are the most significant distraction when they drive. Following a 2010 analysis of distracted driving practices, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that 40 percent of drivers age 18 to 29 acknowledge regularly driving while carrying on cell phone conversations. More than 25 percent of these drivers report regularly using cell phones to text or email while driving. Results from a similar 2010 Consumer's Union poll indicate higher percentages but support the CDC's results showing how widespread distracted driving is among teenagers.

Distracted Driving a Public Health Concern

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood believes "distracted driving has become a deadly epidemic on America's roads, and teens are especially vulnerable." Agreeing with Secretary Hood, the CDC has identified distracted driving as a growing public health concern. In 2009, more than 5,000 people were killed and nearly 450,000 were injured nationwide due to distracted driving accidents.

Ron Replogle, Missouri Highway Patrol colonel, cites inattention as a leading cause of traffic accidents in the state. "If you're focused on sending a text message, then you aren't paying attention to your driving. Cell phone usage, particularly texting while driving, can lead to tragic consequences." The facts speak for themselves: nearly 1,800 traffic accidents in Missouri during 2009 were attributed to cell phone usage. In 2010, phone-related crashes in the state resulted in 20 deaths and nearly 800 injuries.

National and State Anti-Texting Campaigns a Combined Effort

In an attempt to curb distracted driving, the federal government has collaborated with private organizations such as the Consumers Union to promote safe driving practices. In addition to launching a website, creating public service announcements and distributing educational guides to schools, a series of videos has been released reflecting the "Faces of Distracted Driving."

Strengthening the national awareness campaign against distracted driving, nearly 40 states, including Missouri, have enacted some form of anti-texting legislation. In 2009, the Missouri Senate passed a law prohibiting drivers 21 years old and younger from texting while driving. Since then, several bills removing the age limit have been introduced in the House. Though supported by constituents and law enforcement, these bills banning texting while driving at any age have failed to pass in Missouri.

With the new school year beginning, everyone on the road needs to be on the alert for careless and inattentive drivers. If either you or a family member has been injured as a result of a distracted driver, you should contact an experienced Oklahoma City personal injury lawyer who can review your options with you and help you preserve your rights.

Article provided by Joseph J. Reinke, P.C.
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