Distracted driving continues to be one of the biggest concerns of safe driving advocates nationwide. As more studies are conducted, it’s clear that drivers of all ages are taking their eyes off of the road and onto other things while they’re driving.
Teen drivers are some of the most frequent culprits of this dangerous driving habit. It’s no wonder why these young drivers have the highest risks for car accidents in New York City and elsewhere.
According to Forbes, the National Transportation Safety Board recently held a one-day forum in Washington D.C. to discuss these risks among all drivers, but especially the younger ones. The forum discussed the findings of a recent study from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety that focused on the dangers of distracted driving among teen drivers.
Our New York City injury lawyers understand that distracted driving-related car accidents took the lives of more than 3,000 people in 2010. Of the distracted drivers contributing to these fatal accidents, teenage girls were the ones who were most commonly engaging in these activities. They were twice as likely to engage in electronic-related distractions behind the wheel as male drivers of the same age.
Officials believe that this dangerous driving habit contributes to more deaths than are actually recorded. It’s tough to record when a distraction was involved in an accident as drivers are not likely to admit to it and officers have no way of proving otherwise.
In the recent AAA study, researchers concluded that female teen drivers were twice as likely to engage in distractions involving electronics than their male counterparts. They were actually more likely to involve themselves in all distractions except turning around in the driver’s seat and talking with others outside of the vehicle.
Transportation officials have even turned to automakers to solve this problem, asking them to turn off “unnecessary” in-car technology while the vehicle is in motion. Automakers have yet to grab hold of this suggestion, saying consumers won’t be too happy with the result. Even if in-car electronics were disabled, drivers could bring along their own distractions, putting us back where we started.
Regardless of what distractions our children can engage in while driving, it’s important to remind them of safe driving habits. Talk with them about the proper driving behaviors and how to stay safe on our roadways. Parents are some of the most influential people in a teen driver’s life.
“Continue the conversation with your child. Set a good example. They are always watching and modeling our behaviors,” said Carol Ronis, senior communications manager for AAA. “Keep your hands on the wheel, eyes on the road and mind on the task.”
The Law Offices of Nicholas Rose, PLLC is dedicated to helping victims and the family of victims to recover from car accidents in New York City and elsewhere throughout the state. If you or the teen driver in your family has been injured or killed in a car accident, call 1-877-313-7673 to schedule a free consultation from an experienced car accident attorney.
Additional Resources:
Distracted Driving Kills; Teenage Girls Are Especially At Risk, AAA Says, by Jim Henry, Forbes
More Blog Entries:
Long Island Car Accidents Caused by In-Car Technology, New York Injury Lawyer Blog, March 2, 2012
Car Accidents in Long Island, Nation, Proving More Fatal for Teens, New York Injury Lawyer Blog, February 25, 2012
