Distracted driving is a serious problem amongst teenagers today. In fact, statistics show car accidents are the leading cause of accidental death amongst teens today and roughly 10 percent of those victims were distracted at the time of the accident. It’s not always a cellphone that is the distraction though.

Surveys have shown that 90 percent of teens consider a passenger in the vehicle to be a serious distraction. One group of teens from Bucks County, Pennsylvania, are hoping to spread this message through a public service announcement they created that recently won a contest sponsored by the Transportation Management Association of Bucks County.

The video was one of seven submitted to the contest by high school students from across the county and uses a humorous approach to show teens just how distracting another person in the car can be.

The creators of the video stated in an interview they hope the video connects with their peers and encourages them to concentrate on the road at all times while driving.

There are several things you can do to prevent distractions while behind the wheel, including:

• Limit Passengers– Teens should never have more than one other person in the car with them, although they should drive alone when possible.
• Turn The Stereo Down– Loud music and changing songs or stations can force a driver’s eyes off the road, increasing the chances of an accident.
• Put Cellphones Away– Smartphone applications and other technology are available to prevent communication via cellphone while driving.
• Don’t Eat or Drink In The Car– This can force a driver’s hands, eyes, and mind away from the task of driving.

The Philadelphia personal injury lawyers at Lundy Law would like to congratulate the students from Central Bucks High School who created the winning video and are hopeful it and these tips are effective in keeping teen drivers safe this summer.