Social App May Encourage Dangerous Driving Behavior

Distracted driving is a major risk factor for car accidents. For several years now, the government has tried to curb distracted driving with public ad campaigns directed at teens who text while driving. Recently though, the evolution of cell phones into smart phones has created the potential for a new type of deadly distraction. Nearly three-quarters of teens use a smartphone to stay connected with their friends through social media sites like Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat. While there is no doubt that these and other social media apps prove tempting to young drivers, there is a growing concern that one may actually encourage users to engage in risky behavior behind the wheel.

Snapchat is a wildly popular social media application that allows users to share photos, videos and messages that disappear within seconds. Snapchat also has a feature that allows the user to share how fast they are traveling while taking the picture or video. Many argue that this feature effectively encourages two dangerous driving behaviors simultaneously – speeding and using a cell phone while driving.

Snapchat’s MPH filter has been the focus of attention in several deadly wrecks. Last spring, a teen from England was sentenced to jail for causing a high-speed crash that killed another motorist. The day before the crash, the teen used Snapchat to show off his speedometer reaching 142mph as he raced down the highway. More recently, investigators are looking into the role Snapchat may have played in a speed-related crash that claimed the lives of three young women in Philadelphia just days before Christmas. Witnesses in that case allege the women had posted photos of themselves in the car prior to the crash. The Snapchat speed filter revealed they were traveling at a high rate of speed.

Today’s teens have grown up in a culture where it is socially acceptable to tweet about the traffic they are sitting in or post pictures of themselves while driving. However, this sort of behavior is both risky and illegal. Parents of young drivers are urged to talk with their kids about the dangers of using a mobile phone while driving. Their lives, and the lives of others, may depend on it.

Maryland Car Accident Lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton Fight for Those Injured in Distracted Driving Accidents

If you have been seriously injured or suffered the wrongful death of a loved one because of another driver’s reckless or negligent actions, we can help. Our Baltimore car accident lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton have successfully obtained more than $100 million for accident victims and their families. Call 800-547-4LAW (4529) today to schedule a free consultation with one of our seasoned and dedicated Baltimore personal injury lawyers. A qualified member of our legal team is available to take your call and answer your questions 24 hours a day or you can contact us online.

Our offices are located in Baltimore, Columbia, Glen Burnie and Towson, allowing us to represent victims of distracted driving accidents throughout Maryland, including those in Anne Arundel County, Carroll County, Harford County, Howard County, Montgomery County, Maryland’s Western Counties, Southern Maryland and the Eastern Shore, as well as the communities of Catonsville, Essex, Halethorpe, Middle River, Rosedale, Gwynn Oak, Brooklandville, Dundalk, Pikesville, Parkville, Nottingham, Windsor Mill, Lutherville, Timonium, Sparrows Point, Ridgewood and Elkridge.