While driving risk for young

New research from the US shows that texting while driving has become a major cause of deaths and injuries amongst youngsters in the US. Using smartphones for texting or accessing the internet while at the wheel is the biggest single cause of death for teenagers in the US according to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The report says that in spite of 45 US states having banned drivers from sending texts or emails while at the wheel, up to 660,000/hour are using smartphones
December 15, 2015 Read time: 2 mins
New research from the US shows that texting while driving has become a major cause of deaths and injuries amongst youngsters in the US. Using smartphones for texting or accessing the internet while at the wheel is the biggest single cause of death for teenagers in the US according to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The report says that in spite of 45 US states having banned drivers from sending texts or emails while at the wheel, up to 660,000/hour are using smartphones while driving.

According to the NHTSA, texting while driving is six times more dangerous than driving while under the influence of alcohol. Yet drivers are still taking this risk. A recent study showed that up to 70% of US drivers are using smartphones while at the wheel, with 61% sending texts and 33% using email.

Related Content

  • Driving safety courses prove safer
    May 15, 2018
    Research in the UK into drivers who opt to take speed awareness courses instead of taking points on their driving licence after an offence shows they are less likely to reoffend. The national speed awareness courses (NSAC) have been offered as an alternative for drivers after being caught speeding up to set values in excess of posted limits, instead of taking points on the licence. This system was introduced in the UK some years ago. Drivers taking the NSAC options have to pay £100 and are typically given a
    Read More
  • Profiling software assesses driver risk factors
    February 9, 2012
    The UK's Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) is now offering an updated version of its Driver Profiler package. Called Driver Profiler 20:20, this package is designed to assess whether a driver is a low, medium or high-risk by measuring psychometric, demographic and behavioural factors that influence safety. Using the package allows firms to identify drivers in need of further training and make informed decisions as to what is required. The system makes it possible to target specific train
    Read More
  • Safety trials for FORUM8
    October 28, 2020
    Research by a US university is using linked up driving and cycling simulators to help with safer urban road designs for both drivers and cyclists
    Read More
  • US road safety issue for vulnerable road users
    March 1, 2019
    Vulnerable road users face risks in the US. While road fatalities are falling overall in the US, pedestrians and cyclists have seen an increase in road deaths in recent years. Driver fatalities have dropped from 27,348 in 2006 to 23,611 in 2017. However, road deaths for pedestrians and cyclists have increased from 5,567 in 2006 to 6,760 in 2017. Poor attitude by US drivers is thought to be a key factor. Aggressive behaviour behind the wheel and driver distraction, particularly with the use of cellphones,
    Read More

Highlighted Content