The evolution of the cellphone, like many modern advances in technology, has had a large impact on society with both positive and negative consequences. One of the negative consequences of the cellphone is that it can create a distraction for drivers, particularly teenage drivers. A recent distracted driver study pertaining to New York, as well as the rest of the country, shows that distracted driving, largely from cellphone usage, accounts for 58 percent of accidents in which teenage drivers are involved.
The AAA Foundation for Safety was able to review nearly 7,000 videos of drivers taken from cameras that were mounted in vehicles. Almost 1,700 of those videos were taken of teenage drivers. The footage revealed the actions of those drivers shortly before accidents occurred.
Nearly six out of 10 of those crashes were discovered to have been caused by distracted driving, and they were each rated moderate to severe. The most common form of driver distraction was found to be cellphone usage. Other distractions, such as interacting with passengers, reaching for objects within the vehicle and looking at something outside of the vehicle other than the road, also contributed to smaller percentages of distracted driving crashes.
If a New York resident is injured in an accident involving a distracted driver, then that person may be eligible to file a personal injury suit. Depending on the nature of the accident and the severity of the person’s injuries, the plaintiff can attempt to claim appropriate damages. If the suit is successful, then the plaintiff will be awarded compensation.
Source: CBS New York, “Study: Distractions Play Role In 58 Percent Of Crashes Involving Teen Drivers“, March 25, 2015
