Accidents Caused by Texting and Driving

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A group of friends drive around town and the driver receives a text. The driver decides to answer the text,veers into the other lane and hits an oncoming car. In the last seven years, the number of teens texting while driving has risen . Researchers at Cohen Children's Medical Center New Hyde Park estimated 3,000 annual teen deaths nationwide from texting and 300,000 injuries (Ricks). This is more than the number of teens who drink and drive. In comparison, 2,700 teens die from drinking and driving. Because of texting and driving, there has been an increase car crashes, teen injuries and teen deaths. First, car crashes have increase. It's illegal to text while driving in most U.S. states. Yet a new study by researchers at the Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI) finds no reductions in crashes after laws take effect that ban texting by all drivers (Russ).. On August 1st 2008 the law took effect, there was more crashes than before the law took effect in Minnesota. The risk of a crash or near miss among young drivers increased more than sevenfold if they were dialing or reaching for a cellphone and fourfold if they were sending or receiving a text message. The risk also rose if they were reaching for something other than a phone, looking at a roadside object or eating. Among older drivers, only dialing a cell phone increased the chances of a crash or near miss, however, that study began before texting became so common, so researchers don't know whether it is as dangerous for them as it is for teens. Minnesota collision claims per 100 insured vehicle years, by month before and after texting law for all drivers, compared with Iowa and Wisconsin (Russ). One month before the law was to take effect Minnesota took data from crashes that ... ... middle of paper ... ...o texting and driving and distracted driving. work cited F, Alan. “Texting while driving now the leading cause of teen death in the U.S.” Phonearena. (2011): Phonearena. Web. 2 May 2014. Madison, Mary. “ Teens and Distracted Driving” PewResheach. (2009): PewResheach. Web. 1 May 2014 Panish, Shea. “ Teens Distracted Driving Car Accident”. Panish Shea & Boyle. (2012): Panish Shea & Boyle. Web. 1 May 2014. Ricks, Delthis. “Study: Texting and Driving While Driving Now Leading Cause of Death for Teens Drivers” News Day. (2013): News Day. Web. 1 May 2014. Rader, Russ. “Texting bans don't reduce crashes; effects are slight crash increases” Highway Loss Data Institute.(2010): Highway Loss Data Institute. Web. 1 May 2014. Wyatt, Vince. “Texting While Driving in Tennessee Could Get You in Trouble” HR&W. (2013): HR&W. Web. 4 May 2014.

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