A group of friends are driving around town and the driver receives a text message. The driver decides to respond to the text, veers into the other lane and hits an oncoming car. Over the past seven years, the number of teens texting while driving has increased. Researchers at Cohen Children's Medical Center in New Hyde Park estimated 3,000 annual teen deaths nationwide from texting and 300,000 injuries (Ricks). That's more than the number of teenagers who drive drunk. In comparison, 2,700 teenagers die from drunk driving. As a result of texting and driving, there has been an increase in car crashes, injuries, and deaths among teens. First, car accidents have increased. It is illegal to text while driving in most US states. Yet a new study by researchers at the Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI) finds no reduction in crashes after laws banning texting to all drivers took effect (Russ). On August 1, 2008, the law came into force, there were more accidents than before. the law took effect in Minnesota. The risk of a crash or near-crash among young drivers increased more than seven-fold if they dialed a number or searched for a cell phone and four-fold if they sent or received a text message. The risk also increased if they searched for something other than a phone, looked at a roadside object, or ate. Among older drivers, simply dialing a cell phone number increased the risk of a crash or near-crash. However, this study began before texting became so common, so researchers don't know if it's as dangerous for them as it is for teens. Minnesota collision claims per 100 insured vehicle years, per month before and after texting law for all drivers, compared to Iowa and Wisconsin (Russ). A month before the law took effect, Minnesota collected crash data that ...... middle of paper ...... o texting, driving and distracted driving. work cited F, Alan. “Texting while driving is now the leading cause of death among teenagers in the United States” Phonearena. (2011): Phonearena. Internet. May 2, 2014. Madison, Mary. “Teens and Distracted Driving” PewResheach. (2009): PewResheach. Web.May 1, 2014Panish, Shea. “Car Accident Caused by Teen Distracted Driving.” Panish Shea and Boyle. (2012): PanishShea and Boyle. Internet. May 1, 2014. Ricks, Delthis. “Study: Texting and Driving While Driving Now Leading Cause of Death Among Teen Drivers” Information Day. (2013): Information Day. Internet. May 1, 2014. Rader, Russ. “Texting bans don’t reduce accidents; effects are small increases in crashes” Highway Loss Data Institute. (2010): Highway Loss Data Institute. Internet. May 1, 2014. Wyatt, Vince. “Texting while driving in Tennessee could get you in trouble” HR&W. (2013): RH&W. Internet. May 4 2014.