Car accidents are the leading cause of death for teenagers in America, according to a story in the Orlando Sentinel. And it appears that Orlando’s teen drivers still won’t heed the warnings about the dangers of distracted driving. The most distracted drivers in the country are in Florida, according to the Department of Highway Safety, and the most distracted drivers in Florida are in the greater Orlando area. Of the 45,000 distracted driving accidents in Florida last year, 5,000 of them happened in Orange County. Experts say that teenagers making phone calls and texting while driving are one reason for the increasing popularity of Orlando car accident attorneys, where injured victims seek recompense.
Teenagers are a difficult group to reach with messages about the dangers of distracted driving, but experts are getting creative. An ad in a campaign by the government of South Africa has gone viral. Part of the #ItCanWait campaign, the ad is an international success, with billions of views on various platforms.
Distracted Driving Statistics Among Teenage Drivers
A look at the statistics surrounding the dangers of distracted driving gives you an idea of the severity of the problem. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), distracted driving leads to thousands of accidents involving teenagers each year. In fact, teens have the highest crash rate among any age group, and a significant portion of these accidents can be attributed to distracted driving.
Moreover, a study conducted by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety about the dangers of distracted driving found that nearly 60% of moderate-to-severe teen crashes involved distractions behind the wheel. And data from the NHTSA reveals that in 2019, car crashes killed over 2,000 teenagers between the ages of 15 and 19, with distracted driving being a major contributing factor.
Dangers of Distracted Driving: Consequences
Among the dangers of distracted driving accidents are the physical, mental and emotional toll on accident survivors. Bodily harm comes in many forms, including whiplash, broken bones, traumatic brain injuries and other damage. The cost in medical expenses alone can be staggering. Such injuries can mean hospitalization, ongoing physical therapy, as well as treatment for the emotional trauma. Recovering from a car accident can result in major disruptions at a critical time in a young person’s life.
The emotional and psychological costs can be heavy. Teenagers may experience feelings of guilt, regret, and anxiety, especially if the accident resulted in harm to themselves or others. These emotional scars can persist long after the physical injuries have healed, affecting their self-esteem and mental well-being. On top of that, there are the legal dangers of distracted driving. Distracted driving accidents can have serious legal consequences. A serious accident could mean fines, a suspended license, or even criminal charges.
Florida Legislators and Law Enforcement Take Action
Florida is one of the few states where texting and driving is a “secondary offense.” Police can’t pull you over if their only reason is that you were texting at the wheel. Legislators are trying to change that. “Currently, they can see a 17-year-old looking on Google Maps, texting, and they cannot pull that driver over,” State Rep. Emily Slosberg told the Orlando Sentinel. “Distracted driving fatalities and distracted driving injuries are increasing. This is preventable. Our law should be addressing this.”
Meanwhile, Florida State Troopers say they will do what they can to educate drivers – especially teens – to the dangers of distracted driving.
If you or a loved one has been injured because of distracted driving, call the Orlando car accident attorneys at Martinez Manglardi at 1-888-447-094 for a free consultation in offices throughout Florida.
