Many teens who reside in the Pittsburgh area cannot wait to get their driver's license. The freedom of being able to drive from one place to another provides a sense of freedom that until that point most have probably not experienced. There are many things that can go wrong when a young, relatively inexperienced driver is behind the wheel however.  For many parents the thought of a car accident occurring is the worst. While there are many possible reasons why such an incident could occur, distracted driving and drunk driving are two of the biggest contenders. 

Though it is illegal for individuals under the age of 21 to consume alcohol in the state of Pennsylvania, people who are underage still partake in the activity. In some cases they then get behind the wheel to drive. As readers of this blog are likely well aware, this action can be fatal not only for the driver but for others on the road as well. Families who have lost a loved one or are contending with serious disabilities following a crash understand just how traumatic this can be.

Where distracted driving behaviors are concerned, cellphones are often to blame. While originally the problem arose with drivers talking on phones while driving, since the use of smartphones has spread, teen drivers and others are now tempted to text and surf the internet as well. According to one expert in the field, utilizing a phone actually affects one’s reaction time more than driving with a blood alcohol level of .08.

Serious car accidents are definitely an issue in this country. The senior director for the National Safety Council indicates that 90 percent of the 100 fatal car crashes that occur each day are the result of drivers trying to do things other than driving while on the road. In most cases this would be considered negligent behavior and could result in a personal injury lawsuit being filed against the driver participating in the negligent behavior.

Source: CNN, “Steering teen drivers out of harm's way,” Kelly Wallace, Jan. 23, 2014