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Accidents from Cellphone Use

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Submitted By smarttutoring
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While drugs, violence, and gangs are big worries for parents, the most dangerous part of a teenager’s life is driving. Texting and handheld cell phone usage has been associated with car crashes. A teen driver is about four times more likely to be distracted by texting while driving than an adult. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), drivers under the age of 25 are two to three times more likely than older drivers to send text messages or emails while driving. It is obvious that distractions while driving can lead to accidents. In 2011, at least 23% or 1.3 million auto collisions were a result of cell phone usage. A 5 second texting distraction is all it takes for an accident to occur. The possibility of a car collision is 23 times more likely when texting, 1.3 times more likely when talking or listening, and 1.4 times more likely when reaching for the cell phone device. Cell phones are huge temptations for teens. About 13% of drivers between 18 and 20 years of age involved in car accidents admitted to texting or talking on their cell phones when they got in an accident. When using their cellphones, drivers do not realize that they drive out of their lane and become unaware of cars around them. In the age of iPhones and other advanced cell phones, there has been a significant increase in cell phone related accidents because users cannot only text and talk on the phone, but can also surf the internet. Statistics show that one in five drivers of all ages admits to surfing the internet while driving. Thanks to advancement with cell phones, social media, such as Facebook and Twitter, now plays a role in cell phone related accidents. Drivers, especially teens, want to always have access to their friends on Facebook or Twitter and cell phones now make it more convenient. Teens tend to act first and think later, so

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