Teens and Distracted Driving Accidents: A Majority Text Behind the Wheel

January 09, 2013 (Press-News.org) Teens and Distracted Driving Accidents: A Majority Text Behind the Wheel

A common worry among parents with teenagers is the safety of their teenager when he or she begins to drive or ride with other teen drivers. Teenagers lack the experience of older drivers, and when the lack of driving experience is coupled with distracted driving the risk of a car accident is compounded. Even though many teenagers know that texting and using a cellphone behind the wheel is dangerous, many continue to do so, increasing their risks of being involved in car accidents.

According to a recent government survey, a majority of high school seniors admitted to texting while driving. The survey was conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and questioned more than 15,000 high school students from around the country. The survey found that nearly 60 percent of high school seniors have sent a text while driving during a one month period and more than 40 percent of high school juniors admitted to the same dangerous driving behavior. The study was conducted to verify earlier surveys that suggested distracted driving is common among high school students.

Texting is the most popular way teens communicate with each other, and it's estimated that a typical teenager will send and receive 100 text messages per day. Cellphone use while driving diverts concentration from the road and hand use from the steering wheel therefore causing a delay in reaction time, which can cause deadly crashes. Distracted driving accounts for more than 15 percent of driving deaths among teens, and teen deaths make up the greatest portion of distracted driving deaths. Despite the fatal danger, however, many teens continue to use cellphones while driving.

Teens and other drivers in New York who use cellphones behind the wheel should beware. Not only does a person who causes a distracted driving accident face civil liability, the person may also face criminal charges if the accident causes severe injury or death. The illegal use of a cellphone while driving may demonstrate reckless driving. To prevent reckless driving caused by cellphone use, teens and other drivers are subject to New York's ban on texting while driving.

To avoid embarrassment, a ticket, a car accident or worse, teens in New York should refrain from using cellphones while driving. If you or a loved one has been injured in a motor vehicle accident, contact an experienced personal injury attorney to explore your legal options.

Article provided by Law Office of Charles Bonfante III
Visit us at http://www.charlesbonfantelaw.com