It’s well documented that teens are one of the groups most at risk for distracted driving. Whether it’s texting, talking on the phone, or checking social media apps like Snapchat or Instagram, we are all aware of the dangers teens can encounter as they hit the road. Interestingly enough, a recent study shows teens aren’t alone in their distracted driving habits — in a poll conducted for Common Sense Media, 56 percent of parents admitted checking their phones while driving.
The study shows teens likely aren’t just acting irresponsibly on their own. They are picking up these bad habits from their parents, who they observe using cell phones while driving. According to the same poll, 51 percent of teens said they see their parents checking and/or using mobile devices while driving. Because teens are seeing their parents fiddle with their cell phones as they are driving, this might signal to them this behavior is acceptable. Distracted driving is one of the most dangerous things your teen could partake in, and the consequences could be deadly.
DISTRACTED DRIVING IS MORE DANGEROUS THAN DRUNK DRIVING
We’ve all been warned of the grave dangers of driving while intoxicated. Thousands of people are killed each year in accidents where one driver was intoxicated, but texting while driving is quickly catching up. In 2015, there were 3,500 fatal distracted-driving crashes and close to 400,000 injuries, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation.
Although there are laws on the books to protect drivers from distracted driving, the enforcement of these laws can seem spotty at best. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1/3 of drivers between the ages of 18 and 64 read or send text or email messages while in traffic. As we all know, it can take only a few seconds to become distracted from the road as we are reading or sending a text, scrolling through Twitter, or even fiddling with our map.
As parents are teaching their teens to drive, it’s best to set a good example for them and put down your smartphones. Teaching teens healthy driving habits will ensure they will make it home safely each and every time they go for a drive.
Have you or a loved one been in a car accident with a distracted driver in Georgia? You may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. Call the Fry Law team, today, at 404-969-1284.
