Brunswick Personal Injury Attorney Applauds Designated Texters

Brunswick, GA (Law Firm Newswire) September 28, 2012 – According to a new study released by State Farm Insurance, one-third of teenagers polled admit to sending and reading text messages while driving.

The report supported recent federal research which showed teens and other drivers below the age of 25 as a higher-risk group than their elders when it comes to driving and texting.

Car accidents are the leading cause of death for teens; teens are statistically more likely to die in a car crash than any age group under age 80. Teens and texting is of great concern: the federal survey from late 2011 found that more than 10 percent of drivers between the ages 18 to 20 who were in accidents reported that they had just sent and/or received a text message prior to their crash.

The same age group also reported that they were aware that driving and texting was a risk. Now many teens are embracing the “designated driver” concept as it has applied in the push to discourage drunk driving and appointing a “designated texter” when out on the road with friends.

“Texting while driving has been shown to be comparable to driving while under the influence, in terms of distractions and risk,” said Brunswick personal injury lawyer Nathan Williams. “Having a ‘designated texter’ is one way to make sure everyone in the car stays safe while on the road.”

The report by State Farm showed that 80 percent of teen passengers claimed they admonished the driver for texting, though it is unclear how or if that affected the texting habit of the driver. The National Safety Council estimates that 25 percent of all car accidents result from distracted driving. Though the use of cell phones by teen drivers is currently banned in 31 states, that may not be enough of a deterrent, as teen highway deaths still appear to be increasing.

Meanwhile, as the academic year starts up again, high school students across the country are being exposed to texting-and-driving simulators in “It Can Wait,” a public awareness campaign on behalf of AT&T. Students sit in a car with virtual reality goggles and get to virtually experience the distractions of texting while behind the wheel. According to AT&T, drivers who are texting are 23 times more likely to get in an accident.

Nathan Williams is a Brunswick divorce attorney, Brunswick personal injury lawyer, Brunswick criminal defense attorney and Brunswick DUI lawyer in Southeast Georgia. Visit http://www.thewilliamslitigationgroup.com or call 1.912.264.0848.

The Williams Litigation Group
5 St. Andrews Court
Brunswick, GA 31520
Phone: 912.264.0848
Toll Free: 877.307.4537
Fax: 912-264-6299

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