According to a study released by the University of Iowa, distractions caused by passengers of teen drivers is a leading cause of car accidents. In fact, over the last several years, over 15 percent of teens got into a motor vehicle accident after being distracted by a passenger in their car.
Although cellphones are the usual suspects in many distracted driving car accidents, having a friend in your car doubles your chance of getting into a crash and the risk goes up as the number of passengers increase.
Of course, distracted driving for any reason poses a risk to drivers, their passengers, other motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists. Any behaviors that drivers engage in, such as eating, having conversations with passengers, using smart phones or GPS systems while driving, are potentially detrimental to driving performance. Sometimes, distracted driving accidents are minor, but all too often people are injured or even killed when drivers take their eyes off the road.
The recent study underscores just how dangerous driving with friends can be for teens just getting the hang of driving and the responsibility it entails. It is important to remind new drivers about the risks of distracted driving to prevent car accident injuries and fatalities from occurring.
Contact an Attorney Experienced with Distracted Driving Car Accidents
If you or a family member has been injured in an Iowa car accident, contact the Des Moines distracted driving car accident attorneys of Stoltze & Stoltze for a free, no obligation, consultation today at 515-244-1473.
