Tag Archives: teens against distracted driving

What Would You Do to Keep Your Teen Safe?

Teens are some of the most at-risk drivers on the road. Their lack of experience and questionable judgment makes them easy targets for traffic accidents. Statistically, a 2007 study showed that the leading cause of death for 13-19 year old males and females in the United States were auto accidents. Therefore it is understandable that vehicle safety would be on the minds of many parents. In reaction to this, an app was created that would allow parents to keep an eye on their child’s driving. Problems start to arise, though, when you find out just how the app works. The teen gets a personalized bumper sticker on their car so that other drivers can report unsafe driving maneuvers to their parents. The issue with this is obvious—in order to report the errant teen, the other driver would have to text and drive (or at the very least, jot down the info for later as they drive.) This would compound an already dangerous situation further. Texting and driving is incredibly risky, as is anything else that takes your eyes off the road. The best way to prevent an accident from happening to your child is to have a frank conversation with them about the danger that driving poses and that putting down their phone while behind the wheel might just save their life, or the life of someone else.

Here is a video of an alternate application that could help prevent texting and driving:


 

Kent School District Students Team up With TADD

Students from the Kent School District in Washington State teamed up with Teens Against Distracted Driving to make a PSA that they are sharing with students throughout the district to bring awareness to the dangers of distracted driving. TADD is so proud to have been a part of this production and we would like to congratulate all the students involved on a job very well done!!!

Distracted Driving: Who is Responsible?

Distracted driving is fast becoming an epidemic. With every driver having a cell phone (that probably does a lot more than text or make calls) and every car coming equipped with on-board GPS and entertainment systems, the ways a driver can be distracted is on the rise. So now the question arises: who should be responsible for the fight against distracted driving? Should cell phone companies install apps that prevent texting or is it the responsibility of auto companies to make sure the in-car technology is keeping everyone on the road safe? The consensus was that everyone needs to chip in at a distracted driving hearing hosted by the National Transportation Safety Board. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, over 5400 people died in distracted driving crashes in 2009, so it’s obvious that some action needs to be taken.

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New York Adds Teeth to Laws Against Texting While Driving

Governor Andrew Cuomo of New York  said today that he will be introducing new legislation that will crack down on drivers using portable devices while driving. The legislation will include a provision to make texting while driving a primary offense like it is in Washington. Currently, texting while driving is a secondary offense, meaning police can only issue a ticket if the driver is pulled over for another offense, like speeding.

The legislation introduced by Cuomo would make using any portable device while driving, including iPhones and Blackberries, a primary offense. The bill would also increase the penalty from two to three points on a person’s license, and distracted driving curriculum will be made mandatory for anyone seeking a license. The maximum fine will stay the same at $150.

In a statement, Cuomo said that “Every day, countless drivers, particularly teenagers and young adults, drive with their eyes on a screen rather than the road.” He also said  “Distracted driving is nothing less than a lethal activity for the driver themselves, other drivers on the road, and pedestrians.”

Records from the state Department of Motor Vehicles showed that there were almost 332,000 tickets issued in the state of New York for cell phone use while driving and only 3,200 for texting while driving. This data is from 2010, the first full year that cell phone use was considered a primary offense.

Assembly Transportation Committee chairman David Gantt said last week that the bill is expected to pass before session ends June 20. Gantt remains hopeful that a deal can be reached, and Cuomo says that he is working with lawmakers to get an agreement this session. Distracted driving has been a problem in New York where several fatal accidents have occurred as a result of distracted driving in the past few years.

In June, 2007, five teenage girls died in a car crash linked to texting. In December of the same year, a 20-year-old man died in a crash while sending a text message. In 2009, a 22-year old woman died as a result of texting while driving which caused her to crash into a truck. These accidents caused many counties to pass their own laws making texting while driving a primary offense, but state laws superseded them.

It is very encouraging to see that other states are joining the fight against distracted driving. By September of this year, there will be 32 states where texting while driving is a primary offense. Distracted driving is far too dangerous to ignore. A study done at the University of Utah showed that while people are texting and driving it reduces their attention level down to that of a person with an alcohol level of 0.08%. People know about the dangers of distracted driving, but continue to put their lives and the lives of others in danger. I hope that laws similar to this one are passed in all 50 states so that we can be one step closer to winning the battle against distracted driving.

Teens Against Distracted Driving was founded by Seattle personal injury attorney Jason Epstein. Jason’s law firm, Premier Law Group, helps victims of serious injuries caused by the negligence of others. To speak with Jason about TADD or about a personal injury you have suffered, call Premier Law Group at (206) 285-1743

TADD Founder Speaks to Youth Conference & Gets Over 100 Students to Pledge Against Distracted Driving

Jason Epstein, Seattle Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Lawyer and Founder of Straight Talk Law, recently spoke at the City of Bellevue’s Youth Leadership Conference where over 150 teens pledged to not text and drive. Watch the video of Jason's presentation.
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Texting Car Accident Survivor Aaron Brookens Warns of the Texting Dangers | Teens Against Distracted Driving

Aaron Brookens thinks his texting while driving car accident was meant to happen. “It’s crazy,” he said. “I actually missed my exit for home, for some reason. I never miss that exit, ever. It’s the Avalon exit, and the accident happened right after the exit, so I can’t really explain that.”

Brookens was texting his girlfriend at the time of his car accident. He suffered some serious leg injuries and now wants to take his message of the dangers of texting while driving to schools whenever possible.

Learn more about Brookens' texting while driving car accident at Straight Talk Law.

North Carolina Teen Killed in Texting While Driving Car Accident | Teens Against Distracted Driving

Sadly, another teen lost their life to a texting while driving car accident. This accident occurred in Taylorsville, North Carolina. Caitlin McLeod Price was 19 years old.

Learn more about this tragic texting while driving accident.

Teens Against Distracted Driving was founded by Seattle Car Accident Lawyer Jason Epstein who is also the founder of the Seattle law firm Straight Talk Law