Distracted driving is one of the most pressing problems in society today. Driving is a daily activity for tens of millions of Americans, and the potency of modern distractions has never been stronger. Unfortunately, the results are often tragic. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, more than 3,000 people are killed in traffic accidents on average every day, with roughly 9 percent due to distracted driving.
In reality, those statistics are probably too low. It is widely believed that the number of crashes, injuries, and fatalities caused by distracted driving are vastly under reported. We know that perhaps the most painful aspect for loved ones is knowing that all of these accidents could have, and probably should have, been prevented.
The broad category of distracted driving involves activities such as eating and drinking, fiddling with the radio, digging through a purse or wallet, and tending to children. Further, the advent of cell phones has led to new and unprecedented temptations in the form of texting, talking, and tinkering with phone apps. It is no wonder that younger, more tech savvy drivers are the most likely to have used a cell phone moments before a crash.
Let us share a few related statistics parents and young motorists should be aware of:
- Distracted driving is responsible for more than 58 percent of teen crashes.
- Car crashes are the number one killer of teenagers in the United States.
- When a teenager has a passenger with them, the risk of a fatal car crash doubles.
- Further, if two or more passengers are in the vehicle, the odds are five times as likely.
Bear in mind, though, that distracted driving and cell phone use is not limited to teens. About 660,000 adults use cell phones while driving during daylight hours, according to the NHTSA. Did you know that while it only takes 3 seconds after a driver’s attention has been diverted from the road for a crash to occur, sending or reading a text message takes an average of 5 seconds? Texting, and all forms of distracted driving, are just not worth the risk.
We know just how devastating this issue can be. As parents ourselves, we constantly worry for our children too. If you or someone you know would like more information, or if you have been involved in a distracted driving accident, do not wait to contact us and speak with one of our local, experienced attorneys today.