Distracted driving is a major issue, especially among teens

Distracted driving has garnered a lot of attention lately, especially texting while driving. Laws have been passed in many states, including North Carolina prohibiting texting while driving. Still, the problem persists.

How big is the issue of distracted driving?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, across the U.S. more than 2,800 people lost their lives and another 400,000 people were injured in 2018 in collisions involving a distracted driver. The CDC reports that one-fifth of these deaths involved people who were not in a vehicle, such as pedestrians and bicyclists.

Teenagers are especially prone to distracted drivers. The CDC reports that in the case of fatal crashes, motorists between the ages of 15 to 19 were most likely to be distracted than older drivers. In the case of fatal crashes, 8% of motorists between ages 15 to 19 were reportedly distracted when the collision occurred.

What can we do to address this problem?

Parents of teens can help address this problem by talking to their child about the rules and responsibilities they have while driving. Remind your teen that when driving their focus should be entirely on the road. You can emphasize that any cell phone use while driving should be avoided. That text or phone call can wait until you have stopped driving.

Learn more about distracted driving crashes

Parents of teens should have a discussion about safe driving habits, but some teens and even adults will not heed this advice and will cause a distracted driving accident. Those involved in a distracted driving accidents can visit our firm’s website to learn more about their rights and options.