Distracted teens behind the wheel

Distracted driving is a problem in all age groups, but it’s most common among drivers 16 to 24 — especially when they start to get comfortable on the road.

Videos warning young people about the dangers of distracted driving are graphic and plentiful. But still, many admit they’ve texted behind the wheel.

“When I’m driving on the highway and I’m kind of bored.”

“I was really late coming home from work, so my dad kept calling me and calling me so I responded once just like, I’m on my way.”

To visualize just how quickly a text can turn tragic, take a virtual driving lesson.

When you multitask on the road, you can drastically reduce your reaction time. Texters are 20 times more likely to get into a collision.

Usman Khan, owner of G-Class Drivers: “If you’re delaying your reaction for a second or two, you’re going to crash.”

In the time it takes to type a reply, the road conditions ahead of you can change.

Usman Khan: “They lose all their vision. now, once they came back, everything is changed. someone is breaking in front of them. the road is in a curve or turn.”

It’s hard to imagine it happening to you or someone you know. but trauma surgeon Dr. Paul Engels sees the effects of distracted driving almost every day. “Some of those people we’ve been able to correct their broken bones and their injuries but other people, their lives are permanently changed and what they’re able to accomplish for the rest of their life and the impact that has on their family is enormous.”

Distracted drivers are less likely to brake or swerve away from a crash. So their injuries are often life changing.

It can be so tempting to pick up the phone when you hear that ding. So when you’re driving, turn off those notifications and put your phone in the glove box or console so it’s out of sight, and out of mind.