Teen driver fatalities increase due to distracted driving
Statistics show youthful drivers age 15 to 19 are two and a half times more likely to die in a car crash.
The Idaho Department of Transportation says the two main causes are aggressive and distracted driving.
Everyone thinks a quick return text doesn’t distract you from driving.
Kaeley Shawver said, “Like, my eyes were on the road the whole time”
The rate of youthful drivers involved in deadly accidents remains high, according to the Idaho Department of Transportation.
A total of 182 teen drivers across the Gem State have been in a deadly car accidents, resulting from distracted driving in 2014.
Prestley Stallings said, “It makes me feel scared, because it’s really easy for something to happen to them.”
Deadly accidents that involve distracted or aggressive driving, centers around teens.
Lt. Chris Weadick said, “Nowadays it seems we have a lot of electronics in our vehicles; we’ve got a lot more things that are on our mind. We are really just in a rush. We want to get from point A to point B fast. We are distracted in our vehicles, and those are causing our crashes. They’re causing people to drive off the road, over correct and roll their vehicles.”
Even a quick meal can result in the worst.
“But for some reason I couldn’t find my chicken nugget, so I looked down for one second and I rear ended him. It totaled my dad’s 1974 Camaro that he bought off the showroom floor in high school,” said Shawver.
Most teens can agree they have a problem with trying to multi-task behind the wheel.
“I think kids drive distracted because they don’t understand the consequences of their actions. I don’t think they’ll ever really understand that there is such a high risk of them getting in a wreck until they actually get in a wreck,” said Shawver.
“I think it’s older teenagers that are more dangerous and take out their phones. They’ve been driving for longer so they’re more confident and don’t think anything will happen to them,” Stallings said.
It comes down to lack of experience.
Sgt. Bryan Lovell says that it’s crucial for parents to be patient when teaching their teens to drive. He says we need more safe drivers and less aggressive ones.
It’s better to be a few minutes late than risk a deadly accident.
Put the phones away and slow down.
