Driving while distracted is widely acknowledged as one of the leading causes – if not the leading cause – of car accidents in the United States. There is no question that distracted driving accidents have exponentially increased due to the proliferation of smartphones and the urge on the part of drivers to look at their phones, text, talk or post on social media, all while driving. It must be mentioned, however, that cell phones are not the only source of distraction while driving. Any type of activity that causes you to take your hands off the wheel, eyes off the road or attention away from the act of driving may be considered a distraction.
Here are five things you should know about driving while distracted.
1. You’ve probably heard that it is dangerous to talk on the phone or text while driving. But, it’s important to be aware that even hands-free technology can be distracting while driving. According to one study, after you are done giving voice commands, you will stay distracted from the road for up to 27 seconds. This inattention might cause you to miss roadway signs, other vehicles or even pedestrians. For this reason, safety experts recommend that drivers stay off mobile devices altogether until you are safely parked. That said, if you intend to use the phone while driving, hands-free is legal and much safer than talking into a handheld phone.
2. Cell phones are not the only cause of distracted driving. While cell phones are the number one culprits when it comes to driver inattention, studies show that a vast majority of drivers admitted to eating or drinking while driving and indulging in other dangerous and distracting behaviors such as styling their hair, putting on makeup, grooming and browsing the Internet. In other surveys, drivers have even admitted to brushing their teeth or changing clothes while behind the wheel. It is important to realize that even activities such as listening to music, eating and/or drinking while driving may increase your odds of getting into a car accident.
3. Rest stops can help you remain focused. Long-distance trips in particular can make you more restless and prone to distracted driving. This is true for commercial drivers who must remain on the roadway for hours together. One way to avoid getting distracted or drowsy is to take sufficient rest breaks. One hospital study in 2011 found that when a driver needs to use a bathroom while driving then his or her judgment becomes impaired. In fact such a person is similar to one driving with a blood alcohol level of 0.05. There are also many “safe phone zones” these days – locations where drivers can stop to check emails, respond to calls or view/send texts. This helps remove the temptation to use one’s phone on the road.
4. Distracted driving is particularly common and deadly among teens. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that at least 10 percent of all drivers – ages 15 to 19 years old – who were involved in fatal crashes were reported to have been distracted at the time of the crashes.
5. Most states have passed distracted driving laws. In the United States, 38 states including New York and the District of Columbia have laws banning cell phone use for novice drivers. School bus drivers are banned from using mobile devices in 20 states and D.C. Texting while driving is banned in 46 states and drivers are banned from using handheld cell phones altogether in 14 states, and New York is one of those states.
If You Have Been Injured
If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident, or if you have lost a loved one in an auto accident caused by a distracted or negligent driver, the experienced New York personal injury attorneys at the Law Offices of Kenneth A. Wilhelm can help you better understand your legal rights and options, and also fight hard to recover just compensation for you.
For over 46 years, our skilled accident attorneys have established a proven track record of helping injured victims get fair compensation for their losses. Our law firm recently recovered $5,600,000 for a bicyclist who was hit by a van, and $2,550,000 for another victim of a truck accident, and $3,000,000 for a pedestrian who was hit by a car, and the full $1,000,000 insurance policy for a pedestrian who was hit by a truck, and $4,625,000 for a driver who was in a car and was hit by a van, and $2,500,000 for a man who fell through an improperly secured hole.
Please contact us TOLL FREE 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-800-WORK-4-YOU (1-800-967-5496). WE CAN EVEN COME TO YOU. There is no attorneys’ fee unless we recover money for you. We can also help with personal injury cases in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, or Florida. If you have been seriously injured in any of the 50 U.S. states, please call us and we will try to help you with your case.
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1-800-RADIO-LAW, 1-888-WYPADEK, OR 1-800-LAS-LEYES
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