It Only Takes A Moment: Trauma Doctors, Victims, Families Warn Against Distracted Driving Over July 4Th

HOUSTON — Doctors at the nation’s busiest trauma center say July 4 is one of their busiest days.

On Tuesday, doctors at Memorial Hermann urged drivers in and around Houston, named the country’s worst city for distracted driving by one study, to put down their phones behind the wheel.

Dr. Michelle McNutt, the hospital’s chief trauma doctor, said car crashes are the second-most common injury she and her staff treat, with the number increasing especially among patients ages 24 to 34.

“These deaths are completely preventable,” Dr. McNutt said. “(The victims) are someone’s mother and father, husband and wife, brother and sister.”

Distracted driving is to blame for about one out of every five crashes in Harris County, according to Memorial Hermann officials.