Distracted Driving Costs Lives
Drivers get behind the wheel all the time without really thinking about the seriousness of the task at hand. Unfortunately, all too often the failure to focus on the road ahead leads to serious, and even deadly accidents. If you have suffered a serious loss as a result of another driver’s distractions on the road, seeking the assistance of a local personal injury attorney may be a wise decision.
Defining Distracted Driving
What constitutes distracted driving, after all? Isn’t it something all drivers are guilty of at one point or another? The truth is, most drivers do fall victim to distractions now and then. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines distracted driving as participating in any activity while behind the wheel that takes one’s attention away from the task at hand, even if for just a moment. Three key types of distractions are:
-
Manual Distractions: When a driver’s hands leave the wheel in order to text, eat, drink, pet an animal, take care of a crying child, etc.
-
Visual Distractions: When a driver’s eyes leave the road in order to admire the scenery, search for an address, change the radio station, look at fellow passengers, etc.;
-
Cognitive distractions: When a driver is so focused on other matters that he or she literally is not prepared for hazards or unforeseen events.
Consequences of Distracted Driving
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that distracted driving is responsible for thousands of deaths in a typical year. Furthermore, every day roughly 9 fatalities occur and over 1,000 accidents cause injury and property damage as a result of distracted driving on a daily basis. Clearly, it is a significant problem that every driver should think about and take steps to alleviate.
Avoiding Cell Phone Distractions
One of the biggest issues on the road these days is cell phones. It is critical that drivers minimize their distractibility while driving. There are actually a number of things that drivers can do to help themselves in order to keep the roadways safer:
- Download a safety app to take your calls while driving;
- Turn your phone off altogether, or at least put it on silent so you’re not tempted to answer;
- Keep your phone out of reach and deal with phone issues when you arrive safely at your destination.
In the Aftermath
If you or a loved one has been seriously injured due to an accident involving a distracted driver, you need heavy hitting legal assistance today. At the Salazar & Kelly Law Group, P.A. our Kissimmee car accident attorneys will fight for justice on your behalf. Contact us today to schedule a free, confidential consultation.
Resource:
nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/distracted-driving
https://www.salazarandkelly.com/safety-on-the-road-tips-to-get-you-there-safely/
