Personal Injury Law

Driving After Dark Increases Risk For Teen Drivers

By Regan Zambri & Long

Posted by: Salvatore J. Zambri, founding partner

According to a Washington Post article, a report by the Texas Transportation Institute, which used federal traffic fatality data from 1999 to 2008, has found that  "[d]riving after dark is the single most-dangerous risk a teenage driver can take and is more likely to result in death than drinking, speeding or disregarding a seat belt."  The the study was released Thursday.

"Everything points in the same direction for this age group, and that is to the use of cellphones behind the wheel," said Bernie Fette, one of the study's authors. "Whenever you combine the nighttime danger and the cellphone danger with inexperience, you have created a perfect storm . . . Because teenagers have grown up with these devices in their hands, they feel a comfort level and a very false sense of security. They will tell you, 'I can text with my phone still in my pocket, so I certainly can text while I'm driving.' "

As you know if you have been following my blogging, I give volunteer presentations to students at local middle and high schools, education teens about the devastating consequences of distracted driving.  If you have a teen, they should see my presentations.  Just let me know if you are interested, and I'd be happy to present it.

Please travel smartly and safely.

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Full post as published by DC Metro Area Personal Injury Law Blog on May 06, 2010 (boomark / email).