Teens & Cell Phones While Driving

We all know the dangers of driving while talking on the phone. Even on a hands free device it is a lack of attention to the road that is the problem. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has shown that teens while driving while talking on the phone lose situational awareness.

Here are some good statistics (general) that are good to keep in mind:

• The leading cause of death for teen between 15 and 20 is automobile accidents.
• Between 1994 and 2003 about 122 teens between 15 and 20 died each week in automobile accidents.
• In the year 2003 alone the number of teens killed in car crashes was 3,657. Also in 2003 there were 300,000 teens injured in car accidents.
• With each passenger in a teen driven car the risk of accident goes up.
• Most teen car accidents occur at night despite the fact that only 20% of their total driving is at night.

The NHTSA is wanting to push for the following:

1. nighttime driving restrictions
2. restrictions on the number of passengers a teen can have in the car
3. restrictions on teens using phones and other wireless devices while driving
4. underage drinking and driving laws

Every state has their own laws and very few of the laws just single out teens. Overall states that ban the use of cell phones or just texting don't exclude anyone, the laws are in effect for all who drive. It's important to talk to your teens about the laws in your state regarding cell phone use, how many passengers, etc. Parents may even find parent contracts to be useful.