A study of 24,085 situations involving teen drivers by the AAA Foundation recently found that loud conversations with passengers are the number one source of teen driver distraction. Using cell phones or other handheld devices came second, followed by horseplay in the vehicle.
About 17 percent of the analyzed situations showed teen drivers distracted by loud conversations with others in the vehicle. These conversations were more common when teens were transporting other teenagers or siblings. Only about 6.7 percent of distractions, however, involved teens using cell phones or other electronic devices. In these situations, using a handheld device to text, play music, or perform other activities outweighed talking on a cell phone nearly two to one.
The study also found that teen drivers who used a cell phone while driving once were more likely to do it again. Seventeen percent of the drivers in the study never used a cell phone while driving. Twelve percent, however, used a cell phone more than 15 percent of the times they were observed behind the wheel. Girls were twice as likely to use cell phones as boys, but boys were twice as likely to turn around or face away from the road while driving as girls.
Teens are at a special risk of distracted driving accidents. Their inexperience behind the wheel makes it harder for them to predict dangerous situations or avoid them when they appear. If you or someone you love has suffered an accident with a distracted driver, the experienced distracted driving accident injury attorneys at Jurewitz Law Group Injury & Accident Lawyers can help. Give us a call today at (888) 233-5020 for a complimentary consultation on your case.
