TEXTING WHILE DRIVING IS A SERIOUS DANGER ON THE ROADWAYS
March 30, 2017
Distracted driving is a growing concern across America. Much of this is owed to advances in technology and motorists wanting to use these devices while driving. Though most adults know and agree that texting while driving is dangerous, nearly half of adults surveyed admit to texting while driving.
To illustrate that danger, 9 Americans are killed each day in distracted driving-related accidents involving cell phone use, texting and driving or eating while driving. During 2012, 341,000 car accidents involved texting while driving.
In addition, there is a 1 in 4 chance that a car accident involved a cell phone. Overall, using a cell phone while driving increases the risk of being involved in a car accident by 4 times. It is only safe for a driver to remove their eyes from the roadway for 2 seconds; however, on average, it takes a driver 5 seconds to send a text message while driving. Further illustrating the problem, 33 percent of drivers aged 18 to 64 reported reading or writing a text message while driving during the previous month.
Though young drivers and motor vehicle occupants can be especially at risk for distracted driving-related car accidents, all drivers and passengers on the roadways can be at risk. Victims of distracted driving accidents can face a variety of challenges and damages associated with the harm suffered in a distracted driving-related car accident. As a result, personal injury legal options are available to help victims recover compensation for the physical, financial and emotional damages associated with a distracted driving-related car accident.
Texting and driving is unquestionably dangerous and can result in harm and suffering to victims and their families. When a negligent driver has caused an accident while texting and driving, or engaging in some other type of distracted driving behavior, the personal injury legal process is available to hold careless drivers accountable and protect victims.
Source: Huffington Post, “10 Statistics That Capture The Dangers of Texting and Driving,” Erin Schumaker, June 8, 2015
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