Many Crashes Linked to Distracted Drivers

Being distracted behind the wheel can literally be a driving force in thousands of accidents across the country.

A study done by AAA finds that distraction played a role in 58 percent of teen crashes studied. Sergeant Chuck Merryman with the Ohio State Highway Patrol said it’s something that officers deal with on a daily basis.

“We see distracted driving in all levels or all ages of drivers,” Merryman said. “Unfortunately teen drivers are just as prone if not more prone to use their phone while driving. Unfortunately they’re less experienced at driving, so you add that together and usually can turn out badly.”

The study reveals interacting with passengers and the use of mobile devices are leading factors in teen accidents. In Ohio, drivers under the age of 18 are not allowed to use any device while driving, and drivers over 18 are only allowed to make phone calls and not do any typing while driving.

“I think that the rules that are in place definitely help us when it comes to keeping distractions down in a vehicle, but basically in my opinion, a lot of it comes down to education to explain to young drivers the importance of being aware, being focused on what you’re supposed to be focused on other than that phone,” Merryman said.

Texting while driving is now a primary offense in Ohio, Merryman said since it is hard to prove if someone is texting while driving, most of the times he uses it has an educational stop to encourage people to stay off their phone when behind the wheel.