Motor Vehicle Safety News: Keeping You Safe on the Road

 

Texting while Driving in Teens

As high school students get older, they are more likely to text while driving.

A new study titled Texting/emailing while driving among high school students in 35 states, United States, 2015explores the factors associated with texting while driving among high school students (ages 14-18) in the U.S.

The study reveals that:

 As high school students get older, they are more likely to text while driving.

 Risky driving or riding behaviors, such as drinking and driving and infrequent seat belt use, were associated with texting while driving.

 Texting while driving was higher in states with a lower minimum learner’s permit age.

The results of this study can help identify characteristics of high school students who might be at higher risk of texting while driving and raises awareness of the need to address this serious issue, particularly in states where adolescents begin driving at younger ages.

Learn more and help keep teens safe on the road:

• Motor Vehicle Safety
• Parents Are the Key Campaign
• Graduated Driver Licensing System Planning Guide

Impaired Driving in Adults Aged 21 years and Older

Every 50 minutes, one person dies in a motor vehicle crash that involves an alcohol impaired driver.

Each year, over 10,000 people die in alcohol-impaired-driving crashes. But alcohol is not the only culprit to blame when it comes to impaired driving. Drugs such as marijuana and prescription opioids (medical and non-medical use) are also threats. 1 in 3 marijuana users reported driving while impaired by marijuana, according to a new CDC study titled Exploring Substance Use and Impaired Driving among Adults Aged 21 years and Older in the U.S., 2015. The study highlights that among people using prescription opioids (medical and non-medical use), more than 3% reported driving while “high” or experiencing side effects.

Learn more:

• Impaired Driving
• Marijuana Use and Driving
• Prescription Opioids

Motor vehicle safety at work

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health’s (NIOSH) Behind the Wheel at Worknewsletter connects subscribers to subject-matter experts, exclusive interviews, research updates, practical tips on workplace driving, and links to NIOSH and partner resources. Subscribe here to receive quarterly updates and view past issues.