Among teen drivers, almost 30% of them report that they text and drive. Texting creates a significant distraction that increases the chance of accidents by a factor of eight according to the American Automobile Association. Although many teens in the state admit to engaging in this hazardous behavior, they have the lowest rate of texting and driving in the nation according to data collected by CarInsurance.org.
The low rate of texting and driving among teens compared to other states shows that safety advocates have made progress communicating the message that people should not use cellphones while driving. Looking down at a phone screen for even two seconds doubles a driver’s risk of crashing. Taking a call while behind the wheel doubles that crash risk again.
Among collisions caused by distracted teens, one-fourth of them had been using their cellphones. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has found that fatal traffic accidents involving teens had higher rates of cellphone use compared to older drivers. Even so, the NHTSA has made it clear that the problem applies to all generations. Although most people understand that they should not let their phones distract them behind the wheel, the temptation to look at their phone remains strong for many people.
Injuries from traffic accidents can turn a person’s life upside down in a matter of minutes. Medical bills can accumulate quickly, and earning income might become impossible if the injuries cause disability. During such a vulnerable time, a person may choose to speak with a personal injury attorney about how to collect damages after motor vehicle accidents. An attorney might uncover hard-to-find evidence that shows the other driver’s negligence. This may help protect a person from the insurance company’s attempts to deflect blame and avoid paying a settlement.