Key factors in teen car crashes
Teens: A national study funded by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety was conducted by the University of Iowa on distracted driving among teens. The distractions, which included chatting with a passenger, texting and grooming, were factors in nearly 60 percent of all teen crashes.
The Foundation President, Peter Kissinger, said in a statement that the “in-depth analysis” provided “indisputable evidence” of distraction being a much greater risk for young drivers. “Access to crash videos has allowed us to better understand the moments leading up to a vehicle impact in a way that was previously impossible,” he added.
Researchers at the University of Iowa reviewed in-car videos of the six seconds before 1,691 teen-driving crashes. The study found that interacting with one or more passengers was a contributing factor in 15 percent of driver crashes, followed by driver cellphone use, which was a factor in twelve percent of those crashes.
Looking at something in the vehicle played a role in 10 percent of crashes, and looking at something outside the car was a factor in nine percent of crashes. The list also included singing or moving to music as a contributor in eight percent of crashes; grooming and reaching for an object each played a role in six percent of crashes.
Causing an automobile crash creates both physical and mental pain and anguish! So, Teens, please take this information seriously! Have the joy of being a healthy, happy and intelligent teen — drive safely, always!
Dr. Wallace: I’m 17 and rather shy. Lately, I
ROBERT WALLACE
have gone out with Mitch twice. I really like him and I think he also likes me. In fact, he has invited me to be his date for his brother’s wedding next month. We also will date several times before then.
I have difficulty starting a conversation since I’m so shy. I’m so worried that I’ll say something stupid, that I often just keep my mouth shut. Since he doesn’t talk much either, we spend a lot of time together both feeling awkward. What should I do to get the ball rolling? — Nameless, Cincinnati, Ohio.
Nameless: First of all, relax! And remember that conversing with another person is fun. Don’t worry about occasional awkward silences. They happen. You don’t have to fill them with empty chatter. Just remember that your goal is to get to know Mitch.
You might even want to seek out a friend of his beforehand and find out the sorts of things he’s interested in, such as sports, music, science fiction, politics, etc. For instance, if he’s an Ohio State football fan, he’ll be impressed if you can tell him that the Buckeyes have a chance to win the Big Ten championship this season.
Ask him questions that require more than yes or no answers. The point is to draw him out and get him to relax. Once you get the ball rolling, the conversation will begin to flow and you’ll both forget about feeling shy. With any luck, Mitch will do more than just talk about himself. He’ll begin asking questions that allow him to get to know you, too.