Driving while distracted can be destructive

By Dionne Evans
Teens in the Newsroom

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Experts say that major causes of car accidents are driver distractions. Such distractions include cell phones, rubbernecking, tailgating, driver fatigue, etc.

According to car-accidents.com, several studies show that cell phones are a leading cause in car crashes. The site estimates that "cell-phone distracted drivers are four times more likely to be in a car wreck."

A Harvard University study found that cell phones cause over 200 deaths and half a million injuries each year. Even with the cell phone restrictions created by laws, most drivers continue to talk and text on the phone.

It isn't seen as dangerous to most drivers, especially teens, so many drivers continue to use phones on a regular basis.

One Modesto Junior College student knows all too well what can happen from a distraction because she lost a friend to one. While she wants to remain anonymous, she is still willing to tell her story.

Her friend, Sarah (a pseudonym), died four summers ago after crashing into another car. Police believe Sarah was either reaching for something or was using a cell phone when the accident happened. She drifted into the wrong lane and crashed into another car. The people in the other car were fine, but Sarah died.

Taking your eyes off the road for a second can lead to a crash. Sarah's friends and family want everyone to know how dangerous it is to be distracted while driving.

"I don't use my cell phone or pass cars," said one of Sarah's friends, who asked not to be identified. "I always drive really slow and never drive recklessly."

She wants everyone to follow suit because it might save lives.

There are many accidents each year and a lot of them are caused by many different distractions.

One Web site, rezat.com, says that automobile accidents are the leading cause of death of Americans under the age of 34. The site also says that drivers between the ages of 16-20 and those over 70 have a much higher percentage of accidents than other age ranges.

To make sure you stay safe on the road, sixwise.com gives solutions to the six most common causes of automobile crashes. Distractions ranked first.

A study conducted by the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles and Virginia Commonwealth University found that rubbernecking caused many crashes, accounting for 16 percent of all distraction-related crashes.

After rubbernecking, other common driver distractions include driver fatigue, looking at scenery, other passengers, adjusting the radio and reading. Eighty-five percent of the estimated 100 million cell phone users, said sixwise.com, talk on their phone regularly while driving.

If you are one of those distracted drivers, it's best to find solutions to those distractions. The Web sites above offer great solutions. Most found that pulling over to answer a text or call or even having a passenger answer a text or call are the best ways to avoid phone distractions.

Although distractions are the major causes of accidents, they are the easiest to prevent, so try to find ways to keep yourself focused on the road and other cars while you're driving.

Dionne Evans is a freshman at Modesto Junior College and a member of The Bee's Teens in the Newsroom journalism program.