One way to tackle the problem is to educate teenage drivers about the dangers of distracted driving, drunk driving and other reckless behavior.
Philadelphia, PA (PRWEB) February 03, 2014
Commenting on a study that finds teen drivers are more likely to engage in risky behaviors over time, attorney Randall Flager, founder of Philadelphia law firm Flager & Associates, PC, said he was not surprised to read the findings, having handled many different types of car accident claims over the years.
Flager commented on a report in USA Today (“Teen drivers start cautiously, grow careless with time,” January 1). According to the study, released by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute, teens are likely to start off as cautious drivers and develop risky habits over time.
“We have handled many serious car accident cases in our office, so the findings do not come as a surprise,” Flager said. “We know that some experienced drivers can become overly confident and might be prone to engage in dangerous habits like texting and driving or they might think they can handle driving after having too much to drink. That type of thinking often has tragic results. One way to tackle the problem is to educate teenage drivers about the dangers of distracted driving, drunk driving and other reckless behavior. We strongly support education efforts in schools and urge parents to talk to their kids about developing good driving habits.”
According to USA Today, the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute study compared the results of two separate studies. These studies included a one-year, 100-car study of drivers averaging 20 years of experience and an 18-month study of 42 teens who had their licenses for less than three weeks at the beginning of the study.
Researchers told USA Today that they found teen drivers to engage in secondary tasks – texting, dialing, reaching for objects or eating – less frequently than experienced drivers in their first six months behind-the-wheel. However, between months 7 and 15, these drivers matched experienced drivers in distracted driving frequency and logged a two-fold increase in risky distractions during months 16-18.
“Distracted driving causes serious accidents every day in Philadelphia and across the Delaware Valley. While it’s important for all drivers to remember to put away their cellphones and focus their full attention on the road ahead, findings from the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute show that teens are most likely to gradually develop dangerous habits behind the wheel,” said Flager.
Flager said it’s important for parents to monitor teen drivers as they gain experience and to remind their kids about safe and distraction-free driving habits after they’ve obtained their license.
Flager said attorneys can help pursue compensation for anyone injured in a car accident or anyone who loses a loved one in an accident. A lawyer can hold the negligent individual accountable and send a message that careless behavior will not be tolerated on Pennsylvania roads, Flager said.
About Flager & Associates, PC
Flager & Associates, PC, serves the legal needs of personal injury victims throughout the five-county area and has offices located in Trevose, Philadelphia, New Hope, and New Jersey. Attorney Flager and his experienced legal team work tirelessly to protect the rights of injury victims involved in car and truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, slip and fall accidents, dog attacks, and many other types of personal injury cases. An AV-rated attorney, Randall Flager is a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, reserved for a small percentage of trial attorneys who have obtained settlements or verdicts totaling over $1 million.
If you or a loved one was injured by a distracted driver, call Flager & Associates at 215-953-5200 or visit http://www.flagerlaw.com for a free case consultation.
Flager & Associates is located at:
One Northbrook Corporate Center
1210 Northbrook Drive, Ste. 280
Trevose, PA 19053