Houston Accident Shows Distracted Driving and Teen Drivers Are Not a Good Mix

Every day 15 people are killed in distracted driving accidents — an epidemic of sorts further exacerbated when less experienced teen drivers are on the road. When you combine the already high fatality rates of teen drivers with distracted driving, the results are disastrous. A recent fatal auto accident in Harris County illustrates that distracted driving does kill.

One Wednesday night at around 9 pm, an 18 year old pulled out of a Sonic Drive-In onto Louetta Road in Houston. He was alone in his car, but a friend had pulled up his car in the lane next to him. Both vehicles had their windows down and they were conversing with each other as they drove along the road. The 18-year-old driver was also chatting on his cell phone at the same time.

When the vehicle in front of him braked to turn right onto Haude Road, the teen did not notice the slowing car until it was too late. Swerving to the left, he missed the braking vehicle, but then overcorrected, losing control of his car and veering into oncoming traffic. His car was struck by an oncoming SUV. The 18 year old was pronounced dead at the scene.

The passengers of the SUV sustained minor injuries and were taken to the hospital.

Source: KHOU.com, “HSCO: Teen killed in a two-car crash was distracted by cell phone, friends,” 7/21/11.