Technology has advanced over the years quickly. It’s more common than ever for everyone to have a smart phone. Smart phones allow us to make phone calls, dictate texts or e-mails, and update social medical quickly at your fingertips. As much as these smart phones have made our lives easier and to be more connected, it has become a bigger problem when driving.
More and more drivers are texting, making phone calls, and checking social media while on the road. Distracted driving has become one of the fastest biggest health concerns for our country.
In fact, can you guess how many teens die every day as a result of texting while driving?
- a) 2
- b) 3
- c) 6
- d) all of the above
The answer is d) all of the above
Yes, 11 teenagers die EVERY SINGLE DAY because they choose to TEXT and DRIVE.
The United States has the unwanted lead in this problem, far exceeding similar accidents in other countries around the world. Teenagers are avid text message users and they make up 27 percent of the drivers in fatal crashes that were attributed to distracted driving. During daylight hours, about 660,000 drivers are using their cell phones or manipulating other electronic devices every moment. This activity increases the risks of becoming involved in an accident by three times over normal risk probability.
It is very tempting to check your phone and stay connected with social media, family and friends. However, those actions can cost you injuring or killing someone else. It might even cost your life as well. You might think you will never be in that situation, but evening looking away from the road can have negative consequences. It’s always best to think whether or not it’s worth it. If you must use your phone, it’s just to just pull over to the side of the road.
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