Rhode Island parents may have warned their teenagers about the dangers of texting and driving, but a new study finds there are other distracting behaviors teens engage in while behind the wheel that might need to be addressed. The study, which was led by an assistant professor at Oregon State University, found that young drivers often put on makeup, do homework and change contact lenses while driving. Surprisingly, 27 percent of teens also admitted they have changed clothes and shoes while operating a vehicle.

The study showed teenagers are becoming more aware of the risks of texting and driving, with 40 percent claiming to engage in the activity, a lower number than in previous studies. However, the leader of the study said teens are less cognizant of the dangers of other distracting activities, such as talking on a cellphone or changing the radio or GPS settings.

The researchers said that the results suggest driver education courses should teach teenagers to avoid all multitasking while on the road. Other studies indicate parents can play a vital role in teaching their children about driving safety by reminding them to keep their eyes on the road at all times.

While awareness programs are helping, distracted driving is still one of the leading cause of car accidents throughout the country. Those who have been injured by a distracted driver may wish to discuss the matter with an attorney. After reviewing the specifics of a car crash, an attorney could provide guidance on the best course of legal action. One possibility would be to seek the recovery of damages through a personal injury lawsuit against the driver who was responsible.

Source: NPR, "Teens Say They Change Clothes And Do Homework While Driving," Maanvi Singh, 03/18/2015