One-Third of Teen Drivers Text While Driving
A recent study by the Centers for Disease Control shows that texting while driving is a huge problem with teens. 1 in 3 high school students surveyed admitted that they had sent or read an email or text while driving within the past 30 days.Teen Texting and Driving
The study, which surveyed 15,000 high school students in 2011, explored many different aspects of teen driving habits. This is the first year that the survey has included questions about texting while driving.
The study found that 43% of 11th graders and 58% of 12th graders admitted to texting or emailing while driving within the past 30 days. Clearly, a very large number of young drivers are texting while driving despite the dangers of distracted driving.
Interestingly, the survey showed that more teens are wearing seat belts than ever before, and fewer are drinking and getting behind the wheel of a car. In 2011, 8% of teens said they rarely or never wore a seat belt. This number has decreased from 26% over the past 20 years. Only 8% of teens said they had driven a car after drinking, compared to 17% who did so in a 1997 survey.
Clearly, many of our young drivers’ habits are improving. This is certainly due in part to the massive public awareness campaigns that highlight the dangers of drinking and driving and of not wearing a seat belt. If we continue to educate our young drivers about the dangers of distracted driving, just as we have about the dangers of drunk driving, teens may soon get the message that is just too dangerous to be distracted while behind the wheel of a car.
If you or a family member has been hurt in a Savannah car accident, give Ty a call at 1-888-689-5224.