Today’s youths are growing up almost as attached to their cell phones, PDA’s, iPod’s and other mobile electronic devices as they were upon birth to an umbilical cord. By the time they learn to drive, they have the habit and won’t let go. The trouble is, driving while calling, texting or checking the Internet can be fatal.

Studies recently have shown increased teen car wreck traffic accident fatalities due to two factors: more teens driving at night, and more teens driving while texting or making cell calls.

Between 1999 and 2008, nighttime fatal crashes involving teen drivers increased by 10 per cent. Such deaths rose at a lower rate for older age groups, while driving fatalities in general began a decline.

Bernie Fetts, a senior research specialist for the Texas Transportation Institute, told the Associated Press that the increased deaths arise from a “perfect storm” of factors. One such factor is driving at night, which is inherently more dangerous for anyone in any age group. Another is calling or texting while driving, which compromises a person’s ability to drive.

Teens tend to think otherwise, since they know they send text messages with ease. But texting is still a distraction, diverting them from giving their full attention to driving. And momentary inattention while driving can be fatal. Indeed, the yearly toll for drivers calling, emailing or texting is about 6,000 persons dead and 500,000 injured. Were those texts worth it?

Increasingly, Americans are recognizing the dire consequences of calling and texting while driving. So far, 23 states have passed laws banning texting while driving. The national organization FocusDriven was formed to fight distracted driving via cell phones or texting in much the same way Mothers Against Drunk Driving was formed to fight DUI accidents.

Oprah Winfrey of talk show fame also has created her own response to the car carnage: a “No Phone Zone” pledge for teens to sign. Those who sign promise not to text or use their cell phone while they are driving.

Jim S. Adler & Associates stands with those who support such safe driving campaigns and exhorts all drivers of all ages to save texts and phone calls for the proper time: when they aren’t driving a multi-ton vehicle at high speeds in complex traffic. Teens today may say such texting or calling won’t keep them from driving safely, but proof otherwise lies in the deaths of 6,000 persons. Texting car crash accidents do occur, and an unsurprising first time may prove to be a fatal last time.

Jim S. Adler & Associates is a longtime Texas personal injury law firm with offices in San Antonio, Houston, Dallas and Channelview. The law firm offers a free case review and represents victims of car, auto, truck, SUV, motorcycle, bus and other traffic accidents, as well as drunk driving accidents.

Related Articles:

1. Florida Auto Accidents Down Slightly In 2008 According to a study recently issued by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, the number of Florida auto accidents dropped five percent from 2007 to 2008. This is very welcome news to Florida drivers as any reduction in auto accidents is a step in the right direction....
2. Demographics Of Drunk Drivers As outlined by recently available statistics from the NHTSA, drunk driving incidents, automobile or motor vehicle crashes, and car accidents due to drunk driving are a main cause of death for persons from 2 to 33 years old....
3. Why Do We Need To Choose Texas Personal Injury Lawyers At The Time Of Accidents Negligence is the key reason for hundreds of accidents, causing personal injuries every year throughout America. It includes all forms of mass transportation accidents, construction accidents, industrial accidents or verbal arguments, abuse and insult hurting someone personally....
4. Traffic Tickets Are A Huge Unnecessary Expense Traffic tickets can be more than just a major headache for people. They create what can become an ongoing expense. Tickets which are not paid on time, or at all will cause even more fees for interest as well as late fines. This just scratches the surface of the difficulties...
5. Techniques To Help Fight Traffic Tickets Traffic tickets can stick with you for a while. Some states will keep this violation on your record for 2 or 3 years. You will also face higher insurance premiums, once you have paid the expensive fee that often accompanies a violation. If you feel that you were unjustly served...