More Teens On Kentucky Roads This Summer – Does It Mean More Distracted Drivers?

Teenagers throughout Kentucky are rejoicing at the arrival of the last day of school and the start of the much-anticipated, long-awaited summer vacation. For those with driver’s licenses, however, the end of school also means more freedom to travel on the state’s countless roadways – and more opportunities for distracted driving.

Over the past few years, our Lexington personal injury lawyers have noted a marked increase in the number of serious motor vehicle accidents caused by distracted driving. More than 3,000 people across the country were killed in accidents involving a distracted driver in 2010, and an additional 410,000 were injured. The largest age group involved in fatal distracted-driving crashes is under the age of 20, and 40% of American teenagers report that they have been in a car with a distracted driver before.

Last week, a Massachusetts teen was sentenced to a year in jail after being convicted of homicide as a result of texting while driving. Even popular culture has even picked up on the disturbing trend of distracted driving among teens. The most recent season of Fox’s hit show “Glee” introduced a story line where one of the teenage characters sustained a spinal cord injury when she was hit by a truck while texting.

The rise in distracted-driving accidents hasn’t been lost on Kentucky lawmakers, either. The state has banned text messaging for all drivers. In addition, all motorists under 18 are prohibited from using any type of personal communication device.

But text messaging is hardly the only distraction available to drivers, young or old. Fiddling with the radio, eating and drinking, putting on makeup and programming a GPS all take a driver’s eyes and mind off the road. It only takes a few seconds to make a deadly driving error.

Here are some tips to avoid a devastating Kentucky car accident. Some have to do with cell phone use, while others addressed distracted driving habits we all share:

•  Plan ahead. Set your destination on the GPS before hitting the road and eat before you leave or stop before beginning a meal. Got an iPod? Make a playlist of the songs you want to hear before you leave.
• Limit phone calls. Cell phones are a blessing and a curse. If a call comes in and you have a passenger in the car, let them answer it and relay the message to you.
• Stay awake. Don’t rely on coffee and caffeine to keep you up on those long stretches of road. Pay attention to your body. If your eyes feel heavy, stop.
• Don’t rubberneck. Humans are curious and have a tendency to gawk at police lights, ambulances and vehicle damage from a car wreck. Unfortunately, that behavior can also make them victims in wrecks of their own.

 Although the list is not exhaustive by a long shot, adhering to those guidelines  — and encouraging teenagers to do the same – can hopefully make for a safe and healthy summer break.