AAA has released a report that supports the idea that inexperienced teen drivers are too easily distracted by cell phones. The same study also shows that a great number of teen driver-related traffic fatalities occur during the summer months. The three-month stretch spanning from Memorial Day to Labor Day have been coined by the AAA as the “100 deadliest days.”
During the summer months and throughout the year, AAA has found that both inexperience and driver distraction account for more than 60 percent of teen related automobile accidents. In fact, AAA has reported that on average, 10 individuals are killed every day in accidents involving teen drivers. Most of these accidents include some type of driver distraction.
Despite best efforts to raise awareness about the risk of using cell phones while driving, the number of teens distracted by cell phones while driving has quadrupled since 2007. According to AAA, this cell phone use increases a teen driver’s risk of a crash by 23 percent. As terrifying as this may be for parents, it is important for them to understand that more than two-thirds of those injured in these accidents are someone other than the teen drivers themselves.
With so much attention being paid to distracted teen driving, it is shocking that the numbers continue to rise. Driving while distracted is both negligent and careless and can result in serious accidents and catastrophic injury. Family members that have lost a loved one due to the actions of a distracted teen driver may benefit from speaking to an experienced personal injury attorney. With their help, families can hold responsible parties accountable for their negligence and may be able to receive compensation for their loss.
Source: Ledger-Enquirer, “Inexperienced, distracted, deadly,” June 1, 2016
