According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, car accidents are the leading cause of death for teens. In fact, teens are four times more likely than older drivers to crash. In Florida, teens make up only 5 percent of the driving population, but they are involved in 9 percent of fatal crashes.
Now, a new smartphone app aims to encourage better teen driving behavior. But critics say the app itself may be a hazard because it could encourage people to text while driving.
For $15 the first year and $10 every year after, parents can register the license plate number of their teen’s car on the website howismykiddriving.co. Then the site will send the parent a bumper sticker to be placed on the teen’s car. The sticker reads: “How is my KID driving? Push Text my tag #.”
Drivers can then download the free “Push Text” app on their iPhone or Android and input the teen’s tag number. From there, a driver can provide anonymous feedback to the parent. But some argue that this is why the new app will make our roads more dangerous.
The fear is that asking drivers to write down a license plate number and to text their thoughts will encourage distracted driving. “What you’re asking people to do is text while driving,” said state Rep. Irv Slosberg.
However, the inventor of the app, Michael McManigal, hopes that drivers will wait until they’re stopped before texting.
A Florida Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help
If you or someone you love has been injured by a distracted driver in Florida, you may need an experienced Florida personal injury attorney. Call us today at (800) 299-8878 or fill out our convenient online contact form for a free consultation.
The law firm of Philip DeBerard, Injury Attorney, concentrates on helping accident victims in Stuart, Jupiter, Port St. Lucie, Okeechobee, Fort Pierce, Palm Beach, and Vero Beach.
