By: Amy Keas

Teenage Accidents In 2007, driver distractions, such as using a cell phone or text messaging, contributed to nearly 1,000 crashes involving 16- and 17- year-old drivers. Over 60 percent of American teens admit to risky driving, and nearly half of those that admit to risky driving also admit to text messaging behind the wheel. Each year, 21% of fatal car crashes involving teenagers between the ages of 16 and 19 were the result of cell phone usage. This result has been expected to grow as much as 4% every year. In 2007, driver distractions, such as using a cell phone or text messaging, contributed to nearly 1,000 crashes involving 16- and 17- year-old drivers. Over 60 percent of American teens admit to risky driving, and nearly half of those that admit to risky driving also admit to text messaging behind the wheel. Each year, 21% of fatal car crashes involving teenagers between the ages of 16 and 19 were the result of cell phone usage. This result has been expected to grow as much as 4% every year.

Some Statistics… Almost 50% of all drivers between the ages of 18 and 24 are texting while driving. In their first year on the road, teens are almost 10 times more likely to be in a crash. Nine out of 10 teens reported it was common to see teens driving while talking on a cell phone. The fatality rate for drivers age 16 to 19 is four times that of drivers age 25 to 69 years. Almost 50% of all drivers between the ages of 18 and 24 are texting while driving. In their first year on the road, teens are almost 10 times more likely to be in a crash. Nine out of 10 teens reported it was common to see teens driving while talking on a cell phone. The fatality rate for drivers age 16 to 19 is four times that of drivers age 25 to 69 years.

Legal or not? 97% of people will say that having a phone in the car is distracting. I have to ask these people if having a phone in the car is distracting is the next step to make sure that you are the only one in the car? Because talking with other people in the car or making sure a child isn’t getting into something is just as distracting as talking on the phone. I do agree that texting and driving is bad and should be banned but making people have wireless devices is taking it to the next level.

Just say no to phones. Should texting and driving or just using a phone in the car be illegal? People will say yes because it is distracting. Douglas Keas says that using a phone in the car should be made illegal because it is a distraction to the driver. Especially to teenagers which get distracted easier especially when they can’t wait to get a hold of their friends and find out what’s happening after school. “Using the phone while in the car should be illegal pure and simple.”- Douglas Keas

Teens against Cell Phones If you ask any teenager in Kansas you would more than likely get the answer well of course I use my cell phone while I drive.. I have a life! However, over half of the teenagers will admit that they don’t use their phone while driving. “I just throw mine in the backseat on the floor,” said junior Andrea Karlin. “It is of no use to me while I’m driving home.” However Junior Emma McCullough said that since she lives in the Kansas City area she always uses her phone so she can keep in touch with police if needed. Both girls said that they never text while driving.

National Transportation Board says: Motor vehicle crashes remain the leading cause of death for 15 to 20 year olds Almost 64,000 youth aged 15 through 20 died in traffic crashes from 1994 through 2003, about 122 each week In 2003, 3,657 drivers 15 to 20 years old were killed, and an additional 300, to 20 year olds were injured in motor vehicle crashes. In 2003, 7, to 20 year old drivers were involved in fatal crashes resulting in 9,088 total fatalities The risk of a crash involving a teenage driver increases with each additional teen passenger in the vehicle Young drivers do only 20 percent of their driving at night, but over half the crash fatalities of adolescent drivers occur during nighttime hours nighttime hours. Motor vehicle crashes remain the leading cause of death for 15 to 20 year olds Almost 64,000 youth aged 15 through 20 died in traffic crashes from 1994 through 2003, about 122 each week In 2003, 3,657 drivers 15 to 20 years old were killed, and an additional 300, to 20 year olds were injured in motor vehicle crashes. In 2003, 7, to 20 year old drivers were involved in fatal crashes resulting in 9,088 total fatalities The risk of a crash involving a teenage driver increases with each additional teen passenger in the vehicle Young drivers do only 20 percent of their driving at night, but over half the crash fatalities of adolescent drivers occur during nighttime hours nighttime hours.

Here’s what happens…

Diagram it out….

Do you think Kansas should not allow teens to use a cell phone while driving? 89 % 9% 2%2%

Works Cited! "Cell Phone Accident Statistics and Texting While Driving Facts." Pennsylvania Injury Attorneys - Edgar Snyder & Associates. Web. 18 Jan "Google Images." Google. Web. 18 Jan Take the Wheel Teen Driving. Web. 18 Jan ﾊ "Teens, Cell Phones, and Driving." About Pediatrics - Pediatric Parenting and Medical Advice. Web. 20 Jan Web. 19 Jan "Cell Phone Accident Statistics and Texting While Driving Facts." Pennsylvania Injury Attorneys - Edgar Snyder & Associates. Web. 18 Jan "Google Images." Google. Web. 18 Jan Take the Wheel Teen Driving. Web. 18 Jan ﾊ "Teens, Cell Phones, and Driving." About Pediatrics - Pediatric Parenting and Medical Advice. Web. 20 Jan Web. 19 Jan