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Speaking with passengers and using cell phones play a far greater role in vehicle crashes than previously understood. The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety analyzed nearly 1,700 videos which captured the actions of teen drivers in the moments before a crash. The analysis showed that distractions were a factor in nearly 6 to 10 moderate to severe crashes. This is four times the rate in many previous official estimates that were based on police reports, according to NBC News.

Another survey, which was commissioned by Bridgestone Americas, showed that this type of risky driving behavior is becoming so prevalent that it is contributing to 1.6 million crashes annually. 

The National Safety Council (NSC) estimates that 25 percent of vehicle crashes involve the use of a cell phone, and distracted driving is one of the leading causes of teen vehicle accidents.

What is distracted driving? 

Driving requires full attention to safely control a vehicle and to respond to events happening around the driver. Any activity which can divert a driver’s attention away from the primary task of driving can endanger the safety of not only the driver, but passengers, and others on the roads, including pedestrians and bicyclists. Many may not realize they are being distracted before it is too late to react. Some of the distractions the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety lists are: 

• Using a cell phone or smartphone to talk or text
• Eating and drinking
• Talking to passengers
• Grooming
• Reading, including maps
• Using a navigation system
• Watching a video
• Adjusting a radio, CD player, or MP3 player 

The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia’s website, TeenDriversSource.org, says that 75 percent of serious teen-driver crashes are due to “critical errors,” with the three common errors accounting for nearly half of these crashes. These three errors are: 

• Being distracted by something inside or outside of the vehicle.
• Lack of scanning that is needed to detect and respond to hazards
• Going too fast for road conditions (e.g., driving too fast to respond to others or to successfully navigate a curve)

Parents can take some steps to protect their teen drivers. Teen Drive 365, a Toyota initiative, has some very informative information for parents:

• What Is Your Role – As a parent you have a bigger impact on your teen’s driving than anyone else. Learn how being a role model can help your teen be safe behind the wheel.
• Masters of the Wheel – Racing star Antron Brown talks about safe driving on or off the track.
• Your Teens Are Watching – An article from Atlantic Magazine shows teens are actually paying close attention to what you do behind the wheel.
• The Real Deal on Teens and Cars – CNN’s Kelly Wallace sits down with families to explore why it is important to talk with your teen about the realities of distracted driving.

“Driving can be an important step in a teen’s maturity, but it comes with a price. That price is responsibility for themselves and others. We at Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A. wish all teens many years of safe driving, but should you or a love one be in an accident, please contact us,” said Fort Myers Vehicle Accident Attorney, Randall Spivey.

Fort Myers Vehicle Accident Attorney, Randall L. Spivey is a Board Certified Trial Attorney – the highest recognition for competence bestowed by the Florida Bar and a distinction earned by just one (1%) percent of Florida attorneys.  He has handled over 2,000 personal injury and wrongful death cases throughout Florida.  For a free and confidential consultation to discuss your legal rights, contact the Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A., in Lee County at 239.337.7483 or toll free at 1.888.477.4839,or by email to Randall@SpiveyLaw.com.  Visit SpiveyLaw.com for more information.  You can contact Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A.in Charlotte County at 941.764.7748 and in Collier County 239.793.7748.