Teens: Driving Dangerously
A study recently shared at the 2022 American Academy of Pediatrics National Conference & Exhibition indicated that teenagers were prone to risky behaviors while driving, including speeding and cellphone use. In fact, the study showed that 40% of teen driving trips included speeding, while over 30% of driving instances included cellphone use.
While numbers like these are alarming at any time of the year, they are particularly notable as we approach Distracted Driving Awareness Month in April. The perfect time to help raise awareness.
More distracted driving statistics from The Zebra indicate that:
- Distracted driving spikes at night between 6:00pm and 11:00pm.
- 42% of high school students in the U.S. admit that they text or email while driving.
- 47 of the 50 U.S. states currently have texting-while-driving bans.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, texting is the most alarming form of distracted driving. On average, sending or reading a text takes your eyes off the road for 5 seconds. At 55 MPH, that’s the equivalent of driving the length of an entire football field with your eyes closed!
New studies have also highlighted the increased risk of traffic accidents for teens with ADHD. 13% of American children between the ages of 12 and 17 have been diagnosed with ADHD, a population that is twice as likely as neurotypical teens to be in a crash. The UNC STAR Heel Performance Laboratory are creating wearable, trackable technology that aims to make driving safer for teens with ADHD.
Distracted Driving Awareness Month reminds us that distracted driving isn’t just risky for the driver, but also for passengers and every other nearby driver, pedestrian, bicyclist, and worker. When you’re behind the wheel, your only job is to drive. In 2020, distracted driving claimed the lives of 3,142 individuals in the U.S. As technology continues to become a greater influence in the lives of teens, it’s more important than ever that we acknowledge the importance of distracted driving awareness in our communities. Consider these resources to help expand the reach of your next campaign or event this spring:
- Teen Impaired Driving Tabletop Display: Full color display, 48” x 36” and easy to set up!
- College Distracted Driving Info Card: Full color, 3.5” x 8.5” custom with your mascot.
Together, we can help remind teens in our communities to completely stay off their phones will driving – and that includes Snapchat too! Contact us if you are looking for a specific Distracted Driving resource. We would welcome the opportunity to work with you to raise awareness and help keep people safe on our nation’s roads.
