Las Vegas NowPolice Combating Distracted Teen Drivers

Police Combating Distracted Teen Drivers

Twenty-four teenagers died in traffic accidents last year in Clark County. One local woman who was hit by a distracted teen driver wants her experience to be a wake-up call for teens and parents.

Sunday, January 18, 2004 was just another day for Jennifer and Richard Watkins. "My husband said that he was just getting ready to start the car and he saw some headlights coming towards us," she said.

Jennifer remembers very little about the accident that changed her life. "I looked down at myself and I saw me all hooked up to everything. I walked to ask how long I was going to stay their for, but I couldn't even say one single thing," she said.

Watkins was in a coma for three days. Her vocal cords were paralyzed and she underwent six surgeries. "When I see someone on the cell phone, I get so mad at them. They don't realize it can cause an accident and once that happens you can't take back what you did," she said.

A video on distracted drivers was created by Metro Police and will be shown to teenagers in driver's education classes. Nineteen-year-old Devon Sadler watched the video. He has been in two accidents since he started driving. "I used to eat, text, call, smoke, usually at the same time," he said.

But Devon has changed his ways and Jennifer hopes other teens will do the same. "All I can do is thank God that I haven't done that to someone," said Sadler.

Studies show a parent's guidance and restrictions can help decrease dangers teens face on the road.