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Research shows distracted driving leads to six of 10 teen crashes

On Behalf of | Apr 8, 2015 | Car Accidents

A new study confirms that six out of 10 teen crashes occur due to distracted driving. The figure is higher than previously estimated. According to the earlier estimates, only 14 percent of teen crashes occurred due to distraction during driving.

The study is based on an analysis of 1,700 in-vehicle event recorders, which showed that overall, 58 percent of teen crashes were caused by distraction. The data from the recorders indicated that teenage drivers were not looking at the road for at least 4.1 seconds during the last six seconds before a crash.

However, according to auto industry studies, a driver should not take his eyes off the road for more than two to three seconds. According to federal data, teens ae involved in crashes at a higher rate than drivers from other age groups. The federal data also indicates that the single largest cause of teen deaths is car accidents.

A total of 963,000 car crashes were reported by police in 2013. These accidents lead to 2,865 deaths and 383,000 moderate to severe injuries.

The most dangerous forms of driver distraction are texting and driving and talking on a cell phone. Other causes of distraction for teen drivers include looking at a passenger, looking outside the window, music, grooming, and grabbing an object in the vehicle.

When a driver is distracted other individuals, including pedestrians and occupants of other vehicles, can be injured or killed. Victims and their families may be entitled to financial compensation for their losses.

For the victims of distracted driving accidents, competent legal representation can be beneficial. An experienced personal injury and wrongful death lawyer can help guide a victim through the legal process.

Source: CNBC, “6 in 10 teen crashes involve distracted driving,” Paul A. Eisenstein, March 25, 2015