Texting and Driving Is Biggest Cause of Death Among Teens

Distracted driving accidents killed 3,092 people in 2010 according to the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT). Additionally, it is estimated that 18 percent of auto accidents that year involved distracted drivers.

Consulting a Clayton County attorney after an auto accident involving a distracted driver enhances a victim's ability to receive a reasonable settlement. If you have been injured in an automobile accident involving a distracted driver in Clayton County you should discuss your case with an auto accident attorney at Shane Smith Law.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), distracted driving causes over 6,000 fatalities and over 515,000 people being injured annually. These figures are estimates based on data collected from police reports; federal studies indicate that the numbers could be much higher when considering accidents and injuries that are not reported to the police.  Deaths from texting-related accidents are estimated to be around 16,000.

The website textinganddrivingsafety.com reports that texting and driving has surpassed drinking and driving as the leading cause of death among teens. Statistics reinforce the statement:

  • On average a driver's attention is diverted from the road for a minimum of five seconds when texting.
  • An automobile travels the length of a football field in less than five seconds while going 55 mph.
  • A driver who is texting while driving is 23 times more likely to be in an accident.
  • Handheld devices were involved in 23 percent of 2011 auto accidents (approximately 1.3 million accidents).

According to a recent study of Georgia drivers, 13 percent of 18 to 20-year-old drivers who were in auto accidents admitted that they were texting or talking on their cell phones. In the same study, 77 percent of young drivers believed they could safely text and drive at the same time.

If you or someone you know has been hurt by a distracted driver, meet with a Clayton County auto accident lawyer at Shane Smith Law.

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