Did you know that April is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month? As a law firm that handles car accident-related cases, we have witnessed the irreversible suffering that can result from being distracted while behind the wheel. These tragedies serve as a constant reminder to our firm that practicing safe driving habits is paramount. This month we would like to reflect on the importance of avoiding distractions while behind the wheel.
Though many mainly associate distracted driving with just being on your phone The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) defines distracted driving as “any activity that diverts attention from driving, including talking or texting on your phone, eating and drinking, talking to people in your vehicle, fiddling with the stereo, entertainment or navigation system — anything that takes your attention away from the task of safe driving.” This definition reveals that a wide variety of behaviors fall into the category of distracted driving.
According to the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) the average American drove 13,476 miles in 2018 alone. With that much time in the car each year it can be tempting to think you can take your eyes of the road and be fine. However, driving is a task that requires your full attention. With so much to watch out for from other cars to pedestrians taking your eyes off the road can have deadly consequences. NHTSA reports that 3,142 people were killed in 2020 as a result of distracted driving which is a 10% increase since 2018.
These statistics are troubling to say the least, but we can all work towards trying to lower them through being an example to those around us. At Brooks, LeBoeuf, Foster, Gwartney, & Hobbs P.A. we believe that one of the greatest gifts we can give to those we care about is practicing safe driving while they are in the car and encouraging them to do the same when they are behind the wheel. Lets work together to make our roads a safer place by committing to eliminating distractions while driving. To explore resources and tips on this topic please follow the links below:
FDOT Distracted Driving Awareness Article
NSC National Distracted Driving Awareness Month Page
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