Teenagers are often blamed for their dangerous driving habits and it's no mystery why they are most often targeted. Statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show that about seven teens died every single day in car accidents in the year 2010. Per mile, teens between 16 and 19 are three times more likely to be in a fatal crash than older drivers, and about 2,700 teens were killed in the United States in traffic accidents in 2010 alone. Also that year about 282,000 teenagers 16-19 were treated for injuries after motor vehicle accidents.
Research proves that young people between the ages 15-24 only make up about 14% of the United States population but are responsible for about 30% of the total cost of all motor vehicle crashes in America. Yet while teens may be dangerous drivers, they are often blamed for offenses that are unique to this age group. One traffic concern that is constantly blamed on teens has to do with texting. Constantly there are campaigns encouraging teenagers to stop texting and driving when out on the road. While youths certainly need to heed these warnings, a new study conducted by AT&T proves that this is the only age group that needs to reprimanded.
AT&T is currently running a no texting and driving campaign which is called "It Can Wait." As a part of their campaign, they decided to conduct their own study on texting and driving statistics. The findings were unexpected. Adults are becoming more and more familiar with social media, texting, and e-mailing from their phones. As a result, they are also adopting the same bad behaviors that may have originated with the younger generation. Now, nearly half of all adults admit that they text and drive, even though 98% of all adults agree that the practice is very dangerous. Conversely, only about 43% of all teens openly admitted that they text and drive.
AT&T's senior vice president of public affairs told USA Today that she was a bit surprised by the results of the AT&T study. Researchers asked these adults why they text and drive when they are fully aware that the practice is dangerous. Most answers to this question were confusing, but some admitted that they are often ashamed or feel guilty when they text and drive. The adults often don't think that they can wait to respond to a message, or may thing f something that they need to tell their friends or family members and want to send the text before it slips their mind.
AT&T conducted their survey by interviewing 1,011 drivers and released the results in USA Today. As a result of their findings, the company decided to launch a free experimental app which can send automated and customizable text messages to any senders when the phone is in a vehicle that is moving faster than 25 mph. For example, a cell phone user can create an automated response that says "I'm driving right now, will answer soon!" and it will send to anyone who sends a message to the phone while the car is travelling.
Despite the fact that texting and driving is illegal in 39 states and the District of Columbia, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention believes that about 31% of all drivers in the U.S. are frequently on their phones in the car. About 69 percent of all drivers admit that they use their cellphone for some sort of communication while driving whether they are talking on it, texting, or e-mailing. Texting and driving can be extremely dangerous, and the practice is heavily discouraged.
According to the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute, sending or receiving a text message breaks a driver's concentration for an average of 4.6 seconds. This may not seem like a long time, but it is enough time to travel the length of a football field in a car that is travelling 55 mph. If you want more information, or if you were the victim of a text and driving crash, then you will want a car accident attorney on your side immediately. Use this directory to locate a lawyer who can help you to assess your car accident and potentially gather finances that can cover your medical bills and the costs of vehicle repair. If you were the victim in a car accident where the other driver was texting, then you have the right to litigate in order to hold that individual accountable.