While everyone knows that drunk driving can have deadly consequences, the statistics on texting while driving show that this all-too-common practice is even deadlier. Although every demographic is affected by texting while driving, teens seem to be the group suffering the most from this deadly habit.
Statistics on DUI vs. Texting-Related Deaths Among Teens
Texting while driving leads to more deaths among teens than drinking and driving. Just how many more teens die from texting while driving than drunk driving?
On average, 11 teens die a day in fatal texting-related car accidents, compared to the average of eight teen deaths a day from DUI-related accidents. Teens also drive and text more than they drink and drive these days. Drinking and driving among teens has actually decreased in recent years.
Why Is Texting So Dangerous?
Texting while driving is distracted driving. Just like glancing at the radio to change the station and then veering off of the road or rear-ending someone, texting takes your primary focus away from driving to sending the text. Texting requires you to do a number of things that distract you from the road, including the following:
- Texting takes your eyes away from the road to unlock your phone.
- Texting keeps your focus off of driving as you try to read and comprehend text messages received so that you can reply back to them.
- Texting requires keeping a grip on the phone while you are typing, which takes at least one hand away from the steering wheel.
All of this amounts to the driver’s focus being pulled away from the road for a significant amount of time, forcing the driver to ignore road conditions, other drivers, pedestrians, lights, and signage.
Tips for Parents
What do you do as the parent of a teen driver? How do you make sure they understand the potentially dangerous consequences of texting while driving? Below are a few important guidelines that can help you educate your teen driver.
- Knowledge is power. Educating your kids on the statistics regarding driving while texting is the first place to start in empowering your children to make the right decision and avoid sending or reading a text when in the driver’s seat.
- Get friends to help. This can mean educating your children’s friends or having a conversation with their friends' parents to encourage the whole group to avoid texting while driving.
- Lay down clear rules. Whether this means establishing a code of conduct agreement between you and your teen or just laying down the rules in an informal but serious way, your teen needs to know that if they text and drive, they will face ramifications at home.
- Set a good example. Parents are role models for teenagers. Make sure you do as you say and avoid texting while driving yourself.
Like any bad habit, it may be hard for your teen to stop texting while driving. Be sure to remind them that the conversation can wait until they reach their destination. This deadly habit has claimed far too many teen lives already, and it’s time to make a change.
Help from Dedicated Car Accident Lawyers
While you may do all that you can to prevent your own teen from texting and driving, the unfortunate reality is that other drivers are still texting while behind the wheel.
If you’ve been hurt in an accident caused by a driver who was texting, the St. Louis car accident lawyers of The Bruning Law firm can help. We are ready to fight for you and seek the compensation you are owed after someone else’s recklessness causes you harm. We’re committed to getting you the results you need, with the service you deserve. Call us or contact us online to schedule a free consultation today.
