Texting While Driving Can Have Deadly Results

The obsession with texting that is rampant in teen-agers and young adults has a deadly downside. When someone gets behind the wheel of a car and can't stop texting, it can change or even end their life. 

Statistics show that someone who texts while driving is 23 times more likely to be involved in an accident that someone who doesn't. This is on par with the accident rates of drunk drivers, but many texting accidents are more horrific. The drunk driver, while impaired, still has his or her eyes on the road ahead, while texters are staring at their phones for 3, 4 or 5 seconds, not looking at the road at all. A vehicle can travel the length of a football field in that time, and has not reduced its speed at all. The result is much deadlier, whether it's a tree, guard rail or another vehicle that they collide with.

AT&T has begun a "Txtng & Drivng Campaign" which urges drivers to refrain from texting while driving. It can -- and does -- happen to anyone. Just a few words of text on a screen can mean suffering and death for many young people.

Just putting the phone away while driving could save your life, and someone else's, too.

The Dangers of Social Media: What You Do or Say Can and Will be Held Against You

Spending every waking moment on social media sites is all the rage now. Whether it’s Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, SodaHead or one of the hundreds of other social sites on the internet, it’s simple for anyone to post or tweet various announcements or observations to the world. But, with the that freedom is a devastating downside. A moment’s weakness can end up costing you dearly -- for a long time.

Take the case of Jean-Sun Hannah Ahn, the reigning Miss Seattle. In a moment of candor – or weakness – she sent a couple of tweets awhile back that are coming back to haunt her. The first was “Ew I seriously am hating Seattle right now…”, and the second one complained “Take me back to az!!! Ugh can’t stand cold rainy Seattle and the annoying people.”

While many Seattleites would agree that the weather here is lousy most of the year, the part about “annoying people” really didn’t sit well with people, especially after Ms. Ahn was crowned Miss Seattle recently. With the notoriety came media attention, and there was her tweet for all of Seattle (and the world) to see. Representing Seattle as she was, it is bad mojo for her to be annoyed with the people she will represent soon in the Miss Washington pageant. She has apologized for her lapse of judgment, but the damage is already done.

Social Media has allowed people to keep in touch easier than ever, and makes it a breeze to collect “friends” and pontificate on every subject imaginable. But, being out there also means your privacy is compromised, and anything you say will be compounded by the internet. Sharing too much can get you in plenty of trouble, whether it’s just complaining about a city's rainfall,corrupt government, admitting to crimes, or just posting revealing photos of yourself on the Web.

Naw, It Won't Happen to Me

Vanessa Hudgens, a young singer and actress who became famous after she co-starred with Zack Effron in the High School Musical TV movie, was just a wannabe in 2007 when she posted a collection of nude photos of herself that went viral after she became well-known. It was not a big deal at the time, but once she was a rising star this compromised her “squeaky clean” image. It was a publicity nightmare for her, and those photos are still haunting her. Recently, it was reported that she had posted new nude photos of herself. Whether that's true or not, she doesn't get the benefit of the doubt any longer.

There are many, many examples of celebrities and athletes hurting or destroying their careers by an ill-conceived tweet, text or post. But, the average young person can fall into the same trap. An underage girl who puts a sexy, pouty-lipped photo up on social media site is looking for trouble. Not only might her parents see it, but strangers who may have bad intentions see this, too. They can get all the information they need to stalk their victim from the internet, so once you show everyone “you’re sexy and you know it”, you’re putting yourself in a potentially dangerous situation.

Bad language is another ‘no-no’ on the net. Not only is it offensive to some of your ‘friends’, but parents have software that they can install that will notify them of vulgar language on your posts, even if they aren’t part of your network. Watch what you say and how you say it.

Bad for Business

In the business world, a post or photo that boasts of drunkenness or dishonesty can keep you from getting the job that you really want. Potential employers regularly check social media sites when doing background checks on job applicants. If you’ve bragged about shoplifting, vandalizing or doing drugs, you can be sure that your potential employer will think twice before hiring you. (On second thought, they probably won’t think more than once, and the answer will be 'no'.)

Social media can be fun and entertaining, but the downside can be pretty devastating, especially if you don’t take precautions when socializing on the Web. With freedom comes responsibility. Be very careful what you write or photos you post and remember that, once it’s out on the internet, there’s no way of getting it back. You may very well live to regret it!

Sources: Seattle Times, Associated Press reports

Beware: Piercings Can Lead to Gum Bleeding and Other Dental Diseases

Piercings, especially to the lips and tongue, can cause serious dental complications, such as gum bleeding and broken teeth, according to research conducted by the University of Tel Aviv.

In the study of 400 consecutive patients, who were aged 20 years on average, every fourth person with a piercing in the tongue or lips revealed symptoms such as gum bleeding. Some 13.9 per cent had broken teeth or other dental complications, the study found.

Dental professionals were warned of the increasing number of patients with oral piercings and to provide appropriate guidance to patients regarding the health risks.

Studies have shown that people who have piercings in their mouth are much more likely to have injuries to their teeth and gums. Of concern to health personnel are the associated risks, which include damage to dentition, infection, speech impediment and nerve damage.

The study found receding gums, a problem that can lead to tooth loss, in 35% of those who had pierced tongues for four or more years and in 50% who had worn the long-stemmed barbells for two or more years. Researchers say that during tongue movement, long-stemmed barbells are more likely to reach and damage the gums than short barbells.
Long-term lower lip piercings can lead to tooth loss, according to a German dental organization.

If the back of the piercing pushes against the gums, it can wear them down and lead to bone decay, says proDente, a Cologne-based organization of dentists, dental technicians and industrial and dental suppliers.

Given information recommend you discuss potential risk factors with your dentist before mouth piercing. Taking precautions now will increase your chance of keeping your teeth for a lifetime.

Published in World Dental.org May 26, 2008

Binge Drinking Epidemic Among Underage Drinkers

It’s always been typical for college-age kids to have beer “keggers” or drink too much hard alcohol at parties, getting tipsy or even passing out from the imbibing. Frowned upon by authorities, it was largely a harmless activity as long as there were no automobiles involved.

That has all changed with the popularity of “binge drinking” by underage youth. Many hospital emergency rooms are seeing young people arriving with blood alcohol levels in the mid-.3s and even .4, which is four to five times the legal limit.

“That’s the level at which 50% of  people die,” says Dr. Mary Claire O’Brien, an emergency medicine doctor  and assistant professor at Wake Forest University School of Medicine in North Carolina. “Ten years ago we only saw those levels in chronic alcoholics.”

Soda Pop with a “Kick”

The reason is that adolescents don’t consume alcohol for the same reason as adults. Their goal is not to sit around and enjoy a drink or two, but to get as drunk in as little time as possible. Unfortunately, now there are many more ways to accomplish this. The alcohol beverage industry as developed new recipes for combining more alcohol with caffeine, while appealing to the “soda pop” taste preferences of young people, has caused a huge increase in overdoses. In addition, the shift from beer to hard alcohol among teens and young adults has exacerbated the problem.

Even social media sites, such as Facebook, have contributed to the problem, as kids share high-alcohol-content drink recipes and their exploits with binge drinking with their Facebook friends.

This extreme drinking isn’t rare, either. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), about 90% of all teen alcohol consumption occurs in the form of binge drinking!

41% of high school seniors say they’ve had an alcoholic drink within the last 30 days, and by the time these kids are in college that number jumps to 72%.

Alcohol and Caffeine: A Dangerous Combination

The recent craze of combining alcohol with highly caffeinated energy drinks is a recipe for disaster. “The caffeine blocks the part of alcohol that makes you sleepy and might otherwise cause you to pass out,” says Dr. O’Brien. “This enables you to drink far more than you normally would, raising your blood alcohol level to dangerous heights.”

Four Loko, one of the most popular products to hit the market in the last few years, has caused so many problems that the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) stepped in and forced the manufacturers of that and other similar products to remove the caffeine. Four Loko has been reformulated and is back on the store shelves. It is still the equivalent of drinking four or five beers.

Drinking Games

Young people are turning to hard liquor more, and away from beer, especially in drinking games and contests. Shots of hard liquor are far more intoxicating due to the much higher alcohol content, and the fact that the undiluted alcohol hits the stomach and gets into the bloodstream extremely quickly. While drinking beer would take quite a while to affect the binge drinker, shots of hard liquor can almost immediately be felt. For those participating in drinking games, that is the whole point.

What Parents Can Do

If you’re worried that your teen may be binge drinking, consider this:

• Know the warning signs. Signs of extreme drinking include a drop in grades, changes in behavior and mood, a new set of friends, memory lapses, and difficulty concentrating

• Have a talk. Ask your kids what kinds of experiences they’re having, make your personal values clear, and calmly lay out the risks.

• Establish a code word. Agree on a phrase they can say if they are in an uncomfortable situation and need to give you a signal to come and get them, no questions asked.

Sources: Parade Magazine, CDC, FDA

Congress Debating Further Restrictions on Teen Drivers

While all states require a restricted driver's license at age 16, a bill by New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand would require all states set 18 years old as the minimum age for a driver's license with no restrictions. States that don't comply would lose precious federal highway funds.

Sen. Gillibrand is pushing the bill because of the high rate of serious accidents among teenage drivers. National accident statistics show that 16- to 19-year-old drivers have the highest rate of serious accidents and traffic violations of any age group. In addition, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has found that automobile accidents are the leading cause of death among U.S. teens. In 2008 alone, more than 4,000 teenagers were killed in car accidents!

The Gillibrand bill would require all 50 states to adopt a three-stage licensing system. At 16, youths could get a learner's permit, allowing them to drive ONLY when accompanied by a licensed driver 21 or older. After a waiting period of at least 6 months, they could qualify for an intermediate license, would would bar nighttime driving and prohibit drivers from carrying more than one friend at a time, unless accompanied by a 21-year-old licensed driver. At the age of 18, they could qualify for an unrestricted license.

The bill has resulted in complaints from teens and some parents that the increased restrictions will be difficult for suburban and rural families, who rely on cars for transportation.

David Snyder, vice president and associate general counsel of the American Insurance Association, responds that "safety is far more important than convenience" and that most parents agree when they hear the data regarding how dangerous teen driving is. The insurance industry's bigger problem will be House Republicans, who are reluctant to take control of licensing from the individual states.

In Washington state, a learner's permit can be obtained at 15, and a restricted license at 16 years old. A full, unrestricted license is available at 17 if the teen driver maintains a perfect driving record the first year, or if not, when they turn 18.

Some Teen Driving Statistics (2008 is the latest data available)

    •    Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death among 15- to 20-year-olds.
    •    16-year-olds have higher crash rates than drivers of any other age.
    •    16-year-olds are 3 times more likely to die in a motor vehicle crash than the average of all other drivers.
    •    63% of teenage passenger deaths in 2008 occurred in vehicles driven by another teenager.
    •    81% of teenage motor vehicle crash deaths in 2008 were passenger vehicle occupants.
    •    The number of drivers ages 15-20 involved in fatal crashes totaled 5,864 in 2008.
    •    In 2006 (latest data available) crashes involving 15- to 17-year-olds cost more than $34 billion nationwide in medical treatment, property damage and other costs, according to an AAA analysis.
    •    In states with GDL programs that include at least five of the most important elements, there was a 20% reduction in fatal crashes involving 16-year-old drivers.

Sources: http://www.congress.org/news/2011/04/01/a_notso_sweet_16

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drivers_license_in_the_United_States

AAA comes on board with teen Driving.AAA.com

Parents of teens: Fear not once your young one is ready to get behind the wheel.

AAA wants to make the driving experience a little easier on parents and less confusing to teenagers. It has launched TeenDriving.AAA.com, to help parents navigate the often confusing process of teaching teens to drive and get their driver permit and license.

The interactive site helps parents and teens get state-specific rules and information on preparing to drive (pre-permit) through the learner’s permit and solo driving.

The site features AAA StartSmart, a series of online newsletters and webisodes based on the National Institutes of Health’s Checkpoints program, which helps parents improve teen driver safety and is being offered nationally for the first time. Some of the topics covered in AAA StartSmart’s 18 newsletters and webisodes include nighttime driving, distracted driving, alcohol and other drugs, and parent-teen driving agreements.

Parents will find information about Washington's graduated driver licensing system, selecting a driving school and choosing the right vehicle for their teens.

Fatality statistics for teen drivers drop, here is why.

ATLANTA -- Far fewer people are dying in car crashes with teens at the wheel, but it's not because teenagers are driving more cautiously. Experts say laws are tougher, and cars and highways are safer.

Fatal car crashes involving teen drivers fell by about a third over five years, according to a new federal report that credits tougher restrictions on younger drivers.

The number of deaths tied to these accidents dropped from about 2,200 in 2004 to 1,400 in 2008, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said.

The CDC looked at fatal accidents involving drivers who were 16 or 17. There were more than 9,600 such incidents during the five-year span, and more than 11,000 people died, including more than 4,000 of the teen drivers and more than 3,400 of their passengers.

The report is being published in Friday's issue of the CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

The rate of such fatal crashes has been declining since 1996. Experts credit a range of factors, including safer cars with air bags and highway improvements, which reduce the risk of death.

The number of non-fatal accidents involving drivers 16 and 17 years old has been dropping as well - by 31 percent from 2004 through 2008, according to government figures.

The decline is similar to the 36 percent drop in fatal crashes reported in the new CDC report.

Experts say a chief reason is that most states have been getting tougher on when teens can drive and when they can carry passengers.

"It's not that teens are becoming safer," said Russ Rader, spokesman for the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, an Arlington, Va.-based research group funded by auto insurance companies.

"It's that state laws enacted in the last 15 years are taking teens out of the most hazardous driving situations," such as driving at night or with other teens in the car, he said.

Graduated driver's licensing programs, as they are called, began appearing in 1996, and 49 states now have them. Some are stricter than others, which may be one reason death rates vary by state, Rader said.

The CDC found that Wyoming had the highest death rate, with about 60 traffic fatalities involving 16- and 17-year-old drivers per 100,000 people that age. New York and New Jersey, which have rigorous driving restrictions on teens, had the lowest rates, about 10 per 100,000.

Wyoming's driver's license laws are laxer than some other states. For example, 16-year-olds are allowed to drive until 11 p.m., or in some cases even later, while other states force them off the roads starting at 9 p.m.

The author of the report, CDC epidemiologist Ruth Shults, said rural states such as Wyoming tend to have higher rates of traffic deaths. One problem is that remote stretches of road are hard to reach quickly by ambulance, and even harder to get a critically injured person to a trauma center, experts say.

Lorrie Pozarik, a consultant to Wyoming state government on traffic safety issues, said the state ranks poorly in seat-belt use. A love of pickup trucks has a lot to do with that.

"People feel like, 'I'm in a pickup, I don't need a belt,'" Pozarik said. "Our No. 1 fatal crash is a single-vehicle rollover. It happens to be the one crash where a seat belt is most effective when it comes to saving your life.

"The bottom line is that we have no perception of risk in Wyoming," Pozarik continued. "You're driving along the highway, there isn't a car in sight. You can see 10 miles in 20 directions, and you're sort of sitting back and cruising."

In New York, the driver's license restrictions can at times be annoying, said Ali Janicki, a 17-year-old high school senior in the town of North White Plains.

Janicki had a "junior" license when she was 16, which restricted her from driving after 9 p.m. and from driving with more than one other youth in the car. She broke the rules a few times, giving her sister and a friend a ride home from school, or driving home from a movie after 9.

Sometimes, she also needed a parent to drive her to nighttime parties. "It kind of bugged me," she said. "But I understand why."

She said she was nearly in an accident Thursday, but blamed another - older - driver's error. "I think older people, past about 40, should have to take a test and make sure their eyes are still working the same way," she said.