Study Finds Parents May Be Really Distracting Teen Drivers

 Posted on December 00, 0000 in Car Accidents

Parents who have teenagers who drive more than likely have lectured their teen on the dangers of talking on the phone or texting while driving, especially given the national statistics that reveal just how many teenagers are killed in car crashes caused by some form of distracted driving. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) says that over 10 percent of fatal car crashes involving teens is caused by distracted driving, and more than 20 percent of those crashes involve the use of a cell phone.

However, one study reveals that it may actually be the parents who are causing the distractions.

The study found that teens were more likely to take calls from their parents while they are driving a car than they would if it was a friend calling. And parents are definitely calling. The study surveyed 408 drivers who were between the ages of 15 to 18. The survey included teens from 31 different states. More than half of those teens – 53 percent – said their parents calling them was the reason why they answered the phone while driving. Ironically, most of the teens said that although their parents have warned them not to use their cell phones while driving, those same parents become angry if the teen does not answer the phone when they call.

In 2014, Illinois lawmakers passed a hand-held cell phone ban, meaning that it is against the law for anyone – teens or adults – to hold and talk on a cell phone while driving.

To make matter worse, many teens may be too confident in their ability to drive safely and talk on the phone at the same time, or other multi-tasking activities. A study conducted by researchers from Old Dominion University in Virginia and William Jewell College in Missouri found that more than 80 percent of college students talk on their cell phones while driving. Almost the same amount of students admitted they also text while driving.

If you have been injured in an accident caused by a distracted driver, it is important to contact an experienced Cook County injury attorney to find out what legal steps you may be able to take against the driver responsible for your injuries.