By the end of 2016, Snapchat is predicted to break 200 million users, and as of now, 18% of the US population actively use this app. In what started just a few years ago as an obscure mobile networking concept, Snapchat intrigued the population and has slowly evolved into a must-have phone app, especially for teenagers. It allows teenagers to have constant interaction with each other by sending photos and short videos capturing what is happening in real time. The most enticing part? These captured moments disappear shortly after they are opened, giving them a special, exclusive value. So now we’ve created a communication app that is more alluring than texting and allows us to stay updated with each other’s’ lives, however we’ve also created a series of issues in the community, especially when it comes to driving.
Risks on The Road for Teens Both teen senders and receivers are at high risk when it comes to Snapchat and driving. From a receiving end, the ghost icon pops up on the phone, indicating a user has received a snap from a friend. Because this snap displays a moment happening in real time, the receiver generally feels the need to view the snap immediately so they don’t miss out. That, however, doesn’t bode well while driving. Most will justify checking a snap for a few seconds is practically harmless, but a specialized car accident lawyer in Savannah would tell you that taking your eyes off the road for 5 seconds, while going 55 MPH, is comparable to driving an entire length of a football field blindfolded.
Those who decide to send or watch a snap while driving pose serious risk to not only themselves but to others around them as well. Generally, drivers who use Snapchat while driving are attempting to capture an image or video of something taking place on the road. A funny license plate or a pretty sunset are just a few examples of what users deem as something worth focusing on, over the road and cars surrounding them. Snapchat even has filters that questionably encourage a user to climb to an excessive speed and capture it on camera. CBS recently reported on a fatal car accident in Florida, taking the lives of five individuals. Driver Pablo Cortez and passenger Kolie Bartolome lost control of their vehicle and struck a minivan nearly head on. Later, Snapchat videos were recovered of the driver and passenger accelerating to 115.6 mph just nine minutes before the devastating accident. Was the driver instigated to climb an excessive speed for the sake of the snap? While this theory can’t be fully proved, it is safe to say that the Snapchat user wanted to take a video of the car going 115.6 mph.
There have been numerous of other instances where Snapchat plays a key role in major car accidents. Christal McGee, a Georgia teenager, allegedly caused an accident after being distracted by Snapchat. It is hypothesized that McGee was trying to reach 100 MPH on the Snapchat speed filter when she rear-ended an Uber driver in an area with a designated speed of 55 MPH. Just after the accident, McGee posted a snapchat of her injuries, and the selfie she took post-accident, titled “lucky to be alive” went public.
Rear end collisions, T-bone accidents, and sideswipe collisions continue to progress because drivers are busy with Snapchat. These horror stories should be enough for teenagers to put down their phone while in the car. Speak to your teen about distracted drivers and the risks associated. Knowledge is power and advocacy is key to help end snapping and driving.
