Teen Driving Risks: Out with the Old, in with the New

A recent study has good news about teen drinking and driving. According to data released recently by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, teen drinking and driving has plummeted by 54 percent nationwide since 1991. Unfortunately, as one risky behavior has decreased, another has popped up. Distracted driving, often from texts, e-mails and smartphones, is on the rise.

Drinking and Driving Down

The CDC study on teen drinking and driving incorporated self-reported data obtained through National Youth Risk Behavior Surveys as well as the results of toxicology reports from fatal teen drunk driving accidents across the country.

In 1991, according to the study, more than 1 in 5 high school students age 16 or older had engaged in drunk driving during the previous 30 days. In 2011, just over 1 in 10 reported doing so, the survey found. While the results are encouraging, it is clear that there is still a great deal of work to be done when it comes to preventing drunk driving among teens.

Though 90 percent of teens surveyed say they never drink and drive, that still leaves nearly one million teens that do. As reported by TIME, the CDC director said the report indicates progress "in the right direction, but we have to keep up the momentum."

Several factors are believed to be at play in the substantial decline in drunk driving among U.S. teens over the past two decades. According to the CDC, these include:

- Laws increasing the minimum drinking age to 21 in all 50 states
- Widespread adoption of graduated licensing laws for young drivers, which limit nighttime driving and impose passenger restrictions on teens
- Stricter zero-tolerance in every state making it illegal for those under age 21 to drive with any amount of alcohol in their system

Another significant factor cited by the CDC is an attitude shift among the nation's teen drivers. Compared to the past, the risks of drunk driving are more widely recognized, making it far less socially acceptable to drink and drive.

Texting While Driving Up

Unfortunately, the good news about teen drinking and driving is tempered by some bad news in another area: distracted driving. According to a recent National Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 58 percent of high school seniors and 43 percent of high school seniors reported texting or emailing while driving during the previous month - despite laws prohibiting the practice in 39 states and Washington, D.C.

In California, texting on handheld devices is prohibited for all drivers, but a law passed earlier this year permits experienced drivers to send and receive text messages with the use of a hands-free device beginning in January 2013. Novice drivers are barred from cellphone use of any kind while driving.

With texting and driving at an all-time high, cellphone use is the most common cause of distraction-related accidents in California. Drivers under age 20 account for a bigger proportion of distracted driving crashes than any other age group, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. A study by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute found that texting drivers are 23 times more likely to crash than drivers who are not distracted.

Regardless of whether driving under the influence, driving while distracted or simple inexperience causes an accident, when you or a loved one is injured in a crash with a teenage driver, you have options. After a car accident, contact an experienced personal injury lawyer in California to learn more.

Corsiglia McMahon and Allard, L.L.P. is a personal injury law firm based in San Jose, California. Visit us at www.cmalaw.net.

Contact Information: Corsiglia, McMahon and Allard, L.L.P.
Corsiglia, McMahon and Allard, L.L.P
Law firm
96 N 3rd Street, Suite 620
San Jose, CA
USA 95112
Voice: 408-673-9153
http://www.cmalaw.net/

More information you can also find on website: Injury Law New Personal York

Source:
Teen Driving Risks: Out with the Old, in with the New

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My Driving School Offering Driving Lessons in New Car Models

With shocking reports of unsafe cars and unprofessional instructors, new drivers are being subjected to high levels of stress during their lessons and are struggling to achieve competency during their testing. This learning environment is entirely detrimental to achieving success for students.

Reports show instances of personal insults and verbal abuse directed at nervous drivers, to the point that they refuse to continue learning to drive. Cases of cars with poor quality tires, dangerously slippery pedals, and a range of other significant safety concerns are shockingly still being uncovered during the final examinations by QLD Transport.

Learning to drive is difficult enough without having the added pressure of having to worry about the safety of the car and a potential lack of knowledge from the instructor. Finding a reputable driving school is essential for new drivers, and should be the first priority when learning to drive. Many QLD Transport Driving Examiners are forced to fail students for simple mistakes due to inadequate tuition or instructor incompetency. This process is not only emotionally taxing, but is expensive and time-consuming as well.

After seeing a distinct lack of professional tuition in the market, a former QLD Transport Driving Examiner decided to address the issues she was seeing within the industry and begin her own school. My Driving School employs a range of professionally qualified instructors that have been hand selected for their exceptional driving and teaching ability.

The highly skilled experts tailor their teaching methods to suit each individual student, and ensure that maximum competency is reached in a safe and comfortable environment. My Driving School recognises that every person will bring a different set of skills, attitudes and aptitudes to their driving lessons, and endeavour to match your instructor accordingly. With an emphasis on fun, the lessons are productive and enjoyable. Each instructor is familiar with the local area that they are assigned to, helping the students to relax and concentrate on learning the skills at hand.

The school has an impressive fleet of new model Suzuki Swifts, ensuring that students have the opportunity to drive in the utmost safety. Both instructors and the cars are available for extended lessons, including whole day trips. This is a great way to sign off the log book hours while receiving quality instruction from friendly and well-trained professionals.

For more information, visit their website at [http://www.mydrivingschool.com.au or call with any enquiries about the range of professional services on offer.

News source: PRWeb

Source:
My Driving School Offering Driving Lessons in New Car Models

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