Connect with us

Autos

Young Drivers and Texting: Is It An Epidemic?

Young Drivers and Texting: Is It An Epidemic?

A public service announcement widely aired in the media over the past few years shows the text message that a teen driver sent just before she died in a car accident.  The text was simply the letter “K”, meaning “OK”.  This poignant PSA should serve as a reminder of just how unimportant the vast majority of text messages are compared to the importance of driving without distraction.  Despite campaigns by the federal and local governments, schools, and other non-profit organizations, the problem of young people texting while driving remains significant.  According to the Pew Research Project, in 2009

  • 66% of cell phone owners ages 12-19 use their phones to send or receive texts.
  • 97% of cell phone owners ages 18-29 use their phones to send texts.
  • 34% of texting teens ages 16-17 say they have texted while driving.
  • 52% of cell phone-owning teens ages 16-17 say they have talked on a cell phone while driving.
  • 48% of all teens ages 12-17 say they have been in a car when the driver was texting.

“Texting while driving” does not only mean sending or reading text messages while driving.  It refers to engaging in any activity using an electronic device including emailing, surfing the internet, or talking on the phone.

Young Drivers and Texting: Is It An Epidemic?

Young Drivers Do Understand the Risks

The problem is not that teens are unaware of the dangers of texting while driving.  Many of the young drivers surveyed by the Pew Research Project stated that texting while driving is a concern and that they take measures to avoid driving while texting.  Such strategies include only texting while waiting at a red light.  Others say that they hold the phone up while texting so that they can keep their eyes on the road while texting.  Still others say that they ask a passenger to text for them or answer the phone for them.  Despite this, the incidence of distracted driving and accidents due to distracted driving remains unacceptably high.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in 2008 there were over 5000 fatalities and over 500,000 injuries in car accidents that were caused by distracted driving.  Drivers under the age of 20 are much more likely to engage in distracted driving than older drivers.

Strategies for Reducing Texting While Driving

A North Carolina personal injury attorney notes that North Carolina as well as most other states currently have laws that prohibit the use of cell phones while driving, or more generally banning distracted driving.  Only three states do not have distracted driving laws.  Penalties for driving while texting vary widely from state to state ranging from fines of $25 to $800, license suspension, misdemeanor conviction, and driver violation points.  However, the because it is often difficult for law enforcement to catch a driver texting while driving, the possibility of getting ticketed for violating at distracted driving law may have limited effectiveness.

Several tech companies have developed technology to discourage people from texting while driving.  AT&T offers the “DriveMode.”  It allows drivers to temporarily disable certain features on their mobile devices such as notification sounds for incoming calls, texts or emails.  The application will also send an auto-reply to senders notifying them that the driver will contact them when it is safe to do so.  Cellcontrol was developed primarily for employers who want to make sure employees do not text while driving and for families who do not want their teens to text while driving.  When activated it does not allow a driver to send or read a text message or make or receive a call while the vehicle is moving.

In addition, several non-profit organizations are aggressively working with schools, youth organizations, and families to educate young people on the risks of distracted driving and develop action plans to reduce the likelihood that young people will engage in this risky behavior.

Where do you think the government should focus resources in an effort to curb texting while driving?

Continue Reading

Recent Posts

Autos5 days ago

In a Car Accident? Here’s How to Find a Great Lawyer

If you’ve recently been in a car accident, you know that it can be an overwhelming experience. Not only do...

Education6 days ago

Considering Therapy? Here’s a Few Common Therapy Techniques Explained

If you’re considering therapy as a means to improve your mental health, you may be curious about the type of...

home repairs home repairs
Home Improvement7 days ago

Top 5 Home Repairs You Should Never DIY

DIY home repairs are all the rage these days. But before you jump on the bandwagon, there are some things...

Health2 weeks ago

The Power of CBD Oil for Relaxation: How to Use it for Sleep and Stress Relief

If you’re struggling to get a good night’s sleep or feeling stressed, try CBD oil. CBD oil has a moment...

General3 weeks ago

Benefits of Getting your Mobile Phone Repair

Mobile phone repair is a task that needs high skills and experience. That is why we always recommend users trust...

Home Improvement3 weeks ago

Great Ways To Clean To Get Your Security Deposit Back In Full

Moving is almost always stressful as there are tons of things to plan and do. Getting your security deposit back...

Home Improvement3 weeks ago

DIY Garage Door Repair: Tips and Tricks for Fixing Common Problems and Maintaining Your System

If your garage door needs to be fixed, wait to call a repairer. Many common problems can be fixed quickly...

Education4 weeks ago

7 Tips to Choosing the Right University for You

Are you considering continuing your education at university? If so, it can be overwhelming to decide which school is right...

Finance1 month ago

3 Ways Loans from Credit Unions Are Different From Major Banks

If you’re in the loan market, you may wonder if a credit union is the right choice. Here are three...

Food1 month ago

The World of Coffee: Exploring the Aromas, Flavors, and Benefits of the World’s Most Popular Beverage

Coffee is one of the world’s most popular beverages, enjoyed by people of all ages and backgrounds. It’s also one...

Education2 months ago

New Driver? 5 Things to Consider When Looking for Driving School

When it comes to choosing a driving school, there are many factors to consider. Not all driving schools are created...

Home Improvement2 months ago

Landscape Irrigation Systems: The Basics

If you’re a homeowner, you know that keeping your lawn and landscaping looking nice can be a lot of work....

Travel2 months ago

5 Things to Look for in Luxury Hotels

When it comes to luxury hotels, there is a lot to look out for. Here are five key things that...

Home Improvement2 months ago

Is There a Difference Between Commercial and Residential Concrete?

If you’re a contractor, you know that concrete is a versatile construction material. But did you know that there are...

Law2 months ago

5 Tips to Find the Right Litigation Firm

When it comes to selecting the right litigation firm for your legal needs, choosing wisely is of utmost importance. It’s...

Categories

Archives

Trending