New study: Alarming rates of Millennials text and drive, despite dangers

Millennials are more likely to text or email while driving than non-millennials, according to a new study.

A new study out of the University of Southern California reports that millennials are texting while driving at alarming rates. The study, conducted by the USC Annenberg Center for the Digital Future and Bovitz Inc., reports a notable difference between emailing or texting between Baby Boomers and millennials. More specifically, millennials were the biggest offenders when it came to texting or emailing while driving always or often with 17 percent compared to 4 percent of non-millennials.

These findings are concerning since texting, emailing and checking social media sites while driving are all practices connected to an increased risk of involvement in a car accident. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC, reports that texting takes a driver’s attention away from the road more frequently and for longer periods of time than other distractions like changing the radio station or tending children in the backseat. The U.S. Department of Transportation states that the average text takes approximately five seconds. When a driver is traveling at 55 mph this short period of time translates to covering the length of an entire football field while looking down at the phone.

Just one of many studies

This study is just the most recent of many studies finding millennials are more likely to take risks involving use of their cellphones while driving than any other generation. A study released by the Pew Research Center in 2010 had similar findings, reporting 59 percent of millennials, those aged 18 to 33, reported texting while driving. In comparison, 50 percent of those ranging from ages 34 to 45, known as Gen Xers, reported texting while driving and 29 percent of Baby Boomers, ages 46 to 64, reported the same. In addition, the CDC reports that drivers under the age of 20 are already at an increased risk of involvement in serious car accidents due to their lack of experience.

The CDC also reports that nine people are killed in the United States everyday in accidents connected to distracted driving and an additional 1,153 are injured. These numbers are on the rise. The federal agency reported that 387,000 people were injured in 2011 connected to these accidents and 421,000 were injured in 2012. This translates to a 9 percent increase. An increase was also noted during 2013, with Distraction.gov, the Official U.S. Government Website for Distracted Driving, reporting 424,000 injures.

Remedies available for those injured in distracted driving accidents

Those who are injured in a motor vehicle accident and believe the other driver was distracted at the time are likely eligible to receive compensation to help cover the costs associated with the crash. Contact an experienced car accident attorney to discuss your legal rights and better ensure any potential remedies are protected.