Texting is Killing Our Teens

Texting while driving has now become the leading cause of death of teens. Researchers at Cohen Children’s Medical Center in New Hyde Park estimate more than 3,000 annual teen deaths nationwide from texting and 300,000 injuries. One is too many, but these numbers are staggering.

The key is going to be education and technology. It is clear that education can make a difference as the CDC reported last fall that alcohol use among teen drivers has decreased by 54 percent since 1991. There are also a number of different places that are looking at ways to block text with movement or car adapters.

This topic is a big one here at the Legal Examiner:

April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month in Texas Too, Jeff Weinstein | April 02, 2012 11:34 PM

Cell Phone Use and Driving – A Deadly Combination, Jeff Weinstein | April 02, 2012 5:50 PM

Simple Q for Teens – Ask them how many Text Messages they send a Month, Jeff Weinstein | March 28, 2012 11:49 AM

Should We Just Shut Off The Cell Phones and Drive?, Mike Bryant | January 13, 2012 9:01 AM

Stops The Texts Stop The Wrecks Mike Bryant | November 25, 2011 9:04 AM

Texting and Driving: Do You Know how Dangerous it is?, Mike Bryant | November 07, 2011 9:33 AM

Texting and Walking Can Be Dangerous,Mike Bryant | September 14, 2011 9:09 AM

Driving While Distracted? It Causes Deaths. Mike Bryant | August 18, 2011 9:52 AM

Want to Text and Drive? Watch this First., Mike Bryant | July 11, 2011 9:19 AM

Real Life Reasons Not to Text and Drive, Mike Bryant | April 26, 2011 9:37 AM

Texting – More Deadly than Drunk Driving?, Joe Crumley, September 22, 2009 7:01 AM

Study Shows Texting While Driving Highly Dangerous, Rick Shapiro, July 29, 2009 8:00 PM

Texting By Drivers Proven to Be Extreme Hazard, Mark Williams, July 28, 2009 5:41 PM

Ignoring the Dangers of Texting While Driving May Lead to Serious Consequences, Will Parker July 30, 2009 4:53 PM

Texting and Driving – More Deadly than Drinking and Driving?, Jeremy Thurman, September 20, 2008 3:18 PM

As the studies continue to show, the numbers are staggering.The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration suggests that more than 100,000 drivers are texting at any given daylight moment, while more than 600,000 drivers are using handheld phones while operating a car. But, anytime you are on the road , take the time to look around. Everyone seems to be on a phone.

It is so important that we convince young drivers that like, wearing seatbelts, we need to do everything to be safe on the roads.