The most common cause of death for a driving-age teenager is a car accident. In 2010, 144 teenagers were killed in car accidents, and a further 18,543 were hurt. And what do we know is a major source of time-killing for teenagers? Cell phones. So when you combine the trend of texting with a teenager behind the wheel, the results are often unfortunate; and it raises the question why Florida doesn't have more stringent laws pertaining to teenage driving or texting while driving.
A new local movement intends to do something about this. Called "Put It Down," the program is composed of lawyers, accident victims and nurses who travel to high schools and alert teens of how dangerous texting while driving can be. Not only the immediate consequences of serious injuries, but the financial and emotional toll such an accident can take as well.
In addition, the leaders of "Put It Down" intend to reintroduce bills to Florida lawmakers that would increase the state driving age to 18 (from its current age of 16) and bar people under the age of 18 and bus drivers from texting while operating a vehicle.
As "Put It Down" says, the financial toll of a car accident can be just as bad as the actual harm done to innocent people. In most cases, the at-fault party has to pay for the damaged property and the medical bills the victims racked up because of their negligence.
Even when that is over, there can be criminal issues to deal with too. If the driver's recklessness is labeled as gross negligence (or something more serious, like a felony offense), their life can be turned upside down. That is why teenagers -- and, really, all drivers -- need to be mindful behind the wheel and put down the cell phone.
Source: Sun Sentinel, "Group urges teens to 'put it down,' drive safely," Ben Wolford, Oct. 18, 2012
- There are many things to do after a car accident, and consulting with an experienced Miami motor vehicle crash attorney is a key step for any victims.
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