Did you know that young adults are the most dangerous drivers on the road today? According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, U.S. drivers ages 20 to 24 have more motor vehicle deaths per 100,000 people than any other age group.
Safety experts say that’s due in great part to the fact that many young drivers fail to focus when driving a car. They are driving while texting, talking on the phone, fiddling with the radio, listening to music, chatting with passengers and eating. More than any other age group, young drivers are more likely to be doing more than one of these activities while driving a car. And the research is clear: Distracted driving is the leading causes of vehicle accidents and fatalities.
Many young adults simply don’t understand that these behind-the-wheel activities can — and often do — lead to car accidents. In fact, take a few minutes to review this list of dangerous activities to be doing while driving. Surprised? Anything that takes your mind off the wheel — even for a minute — can lead to an accident.
Overconfidence is another factor. Even though the dangers of texting while driving are widely known, many young adults continue to do it, thinking they are still able to drive in a safe manner. Many surveys show that young adults are overconfident in their driving abilities. In a recent survey, nearly 80 percent of young adult drivers said they are very or somewhat confident that they can safely text while driving. Yet it’s estimated that more than three-quarters of all accidents today involve a driver who has been texting or cell phone use.
So put down that phone — or better yet turn it off — while you’re driving. And make sure while you’re driving that your focus is on only one thing — getting safely from Point A to Point B.
