Distracted Driving Still On the Rise, Especially Among Teens

April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month   According to AAA, Americans drive the fewest miles during the winter months. Once April rolls around and the sun shines a bit brighter, the mileage goes up as we shake off the winter doldrums. More miles behind the wheel also means there are more chances to become distracted. And unfortunately, those distractions – like texting, talking, eating, adjusting a radio, checking a map, applying makeup and many more – can have deadly consequences. As we enter April and Distracted Driving Awareness Month 2016, we note sadly that the number of injuries and deaths from driving distracted continues to rise, especially among teenagers. Maybe the increase is due to our obsession with mobile technology or our love affair with the car or just the increasingly frantic pace of our lives (no one is quite sure). But we do know this: Distracted driving is a problem that is 100 percent preventable. Before you send that next text message or order that double cheese burger to go, you should know the dangers of distracted driving and what you can do to prevent tragedy from striking in your life! Start driving more safely here. BY THE NUMBERS / 3,179 Killed In 2014, 3,179 people were killed and 431,000 people injured in motor vehicle crashes involving distracted drivers. 660,000 Vehicles At any given time on U.S. roads, there are 660,000 vehicles being driven by someone using a hand-held phone. 10% Fatalities In 2013, 10 percent of all drivers aged 15 to 19 involved in fatal crashes were reported as distracted at the time of the crash. BOOKMARK FAVORITES / Little Distractions Add Up to Big Trouble Behind the Wheel An estimated nine people die and more than 1,000 are injured every day in crashes that involve distracted driving, according to the National Safety Council. View video. New Hands-Free Systems Still Not Risk Free A recent AAA study showed that drivers are still distracted while using the new hands-free systems found in many new vehicles. View video. “Moment of Silence” Campaign Fights Distracted Walking SafeKids.org has partnered with FedEx in this public service campaign highlighting the dangers of distracted walking, especially among young people. View video.   Up Next Month: Forced Injustice Next month we feature an update on the widespread use of forced arbitration by many businesses to deny Americans their right to a day in court. We call it “forced injustice.” Start here EndDD Enlists Teens to Help Stop Distracted Driving Joel Feldman, a lawyer and the father of a young woman killed by a distracted driver, leads a ground-breaking national campaign to stop distracted driving. Listen now
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