Teen drivers face increased risks associated with car accidents and especially fatal car accidents in general, but Memorial Day starts the important period known as the 100 deadliest days of summer.
During this time, fatal accidents involving teen drivers are 16% higher than other days during the year. Data indicates that 5,000 individuals have died over the past five years during this 100-day period. One of the leading causes of teenage driving accidents is distraction.
A recent study from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety indicated that 60% of teen car accidents involve being distracted behind the wheel. The leading causes of distraction were:
• Texting, operating a cellphone or talking on a cellphone
• Attending to something inside the vehicle
• Attending to other passengers or speaking to other passengers in the vehicle
The research study also identified that teens were more likely to be looking down at their phone or texting rather than talking on it in the moments just prior to a car accident. Findings from the Pew Research Center back up these claims indicating that text messaging is a regular component in the day to day lives of teens across the United States today.
More than 55% of teenagers spend a significant portion of their time texting every day, sending an average of 80 messages. If you have recently been involved in a car accident, you need to consult with a California personal injury attorney as soon as possible.