A study from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety is helping build awareness about distracted driving among American teenagers. Being that April is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month, the study can serve as a reminder to everyone that driving distracted can significantly increase your chances of being involved in a car accident.
Here are some key points about the study:
- Researchers examined thousands of videos mounted inside vehicles driven by teenagers showing their behaviors and roadway conditions.
- Distraction - including texting, talking on the phone, adjusting the radio, eating, and grooming - was a contributing factor in 58% of moderate to severe teen auto accidents - more than four times the estimated rate based on police reports.
- The study noted that the most common form of distraction among study subjects was talking to passengers.
A video released by AAA shows several videos of distracted teen drivers moments before they are involved in accidents. While no one in the videos clips was seriously injured, it is important to note that distracted driving can and does cause serious harm and thousands of preventable deaths each year.
At The Daspit Law Firm, we want to remind everyone to be safe on the roadways. Watch the video below to see clips from the study.