Every year, 3.6 million students graduate from high school in Ohio and across the country. Graduation time comes with graduation parties and many students celebrating their driver’s licenses as well as their educational milestones. Even teens who have gone through driver safety classes may have a lot to learn about keeping safe on the road, especially when it comes to drugged, drowsy or distracted driving. While many people have heard the message about how drunk driving can lead to fatal car accidents, they may not take other threats as seriously – even though they can be equally deadly.

With the legalization of cannabis, there is a growing concern about drugged driving. People may not see the effects of marijuana on driver ability as immediately as they do with alcohol. However, this does not mean that cannabis and other drugs do not impair a driver’s ability. Teens who have consumed substances are best seeking a sober ride. Distracted driving is another major concern; with the ubiquity of smartphones, more drivers than ever are distracted behind the wheel by a range of online offerings, including group chats, videos and social media.

However, distraction while driving is not limited to mobile phone usage. Indeed, passengers can also be a cause of disruption in a car, and rowdy teens can unintentionally lead to a car accident when distracting a fellow young driver. In addition, drowsy driving is another major concern; people often do not recognize all the signs of fatigue that could indicate they are at risk of losing control of their vehicle.

Distracted, drugged and drowsy driving can all lead to catastrophic injuries and lifelong disabilities when a car accident results from this negligent behavior. Columbus, Ohio, auto accident injuries compensation attorneys may be able to help victims to seek compensation for their lost wages, medical bills and other damages.