AUSTIN, Texas (AP) _ A study finds nighttime driving is becoming more hazardous for teen drivers and the likely cause is talking and texting on cell phones. The report was released Thursday by the Texas Transportation Institute.
The group says the proportion of nighttime fatal crashes involving drivers 16 to 19 years old nationwide increased 10 percent from 1999-2008. The percentage of nighttime fatal crashes involving drivers 20 and older rose nearly 8 percent during the same period.
Senior research specialist Bernie Fette says driving at night is dangerous and using a cell phone behind the wheel compromises your ability to drive. He says put those together “and you’ve created a perfect storm.”
Data came from a system maintained by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
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