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January 15, 2020 by Greg Baumgartner
We have all been behind someone at a traffic light using their phone and failing to go when the light turns green. Cell phone use, even when stopped, is a form of distracted driving. When one is distracted, they are prevented from keeping a proper lookout.
While advanced safety technology has improved cars and reduced fatalities, the incidences of distracted driving in Houston have significantly increased, particularly over the past ten years.
The increase is likely due to the increased use of smartphones for calling and texting. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), every day in the U.S., about nine people lose their lives due to distracted driving, and there are over 1,000 people hurt in car wrecks that involve distracted driving.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:
* Nine people are killed, and more than 1,000 people are injured in car wrecks that were reported to involve a distracted driver every day in the United States.
* Distractions include taking your eyes off the road, taking your hands off the wheel, and taking your mind off what you are doing.
*75% of U.S. drivers ages 18 to 29 reported that they spoke on their cell phone while driving at least once in the past 30 days, and nearly 40% reported that they talk on their cell phone “regularly” or “fairly often” while driving.
*52% of U.S. drivers ages 18-29 reported texting or e-mailing while driving at least once in the last 30 days, and more than a quarter reported texting or e-mailing “regularly” or “fairly often” while driving.
* Distracted driving is the leading cause of accidents in the United States. A fatal car accident occurs many times every day due to distracted driving.
Distracted driving is driving while your attention is diverted from driving. There are three main distractions for drivers; they are:
* Visual distractions
* Manual distractions and
* Cognitive distractions
are the easiest to understand, and they are activities that divert your eyes off the road and onto something else. Such as looking at a text or even interacting with another passenger.
involve taking your hands off the wheel to tend to other activities such as eating, drinking, or adjusting the radio.
It can be things like daydreaming or taking your mind off driving. Many sources can lead to distracted driving.
Adjusting the radio, inputting an address into a GPS, turning to speak to a passenger, or tending to a child can all lead to a severe accident if you are not careful.
The problem of distracted driving is significant and has increased with technology in the last 15 years. Today, our society is one that is “connected” and has increased the number of car accidents because of distractions related to distracted driving.
Last year alone, almost 20% of injury accidents were from distracted driving. To give you an idea of how connected our society is, more than 200 billion text messages are exchanged monthly in the United States!
Most Americans are aware of how dangerous driving can be while behind the wheels of a vehicle. The problem is so prevalent that numerous ad campaigns speak on the potentially hazardous environment that is created by drunk driving.
Studies have shown that younger drivers under the age of 20 are at an increased risk of accidents by distraction and have the highest percentage of distracted-related fatal accidents.
Please watch where you are going – you may not get a second chance to make the unfortunate decision to drive distracted.
It stands to reason that the group that is most at risk, according to the National Traffic Safety Administration, is drivers that are under 25 years of age. This group is 3% more likely than older, established drivers to text while driving.
This can largely be attributed to the type of interconnected mentality that has developed, primarily based on technology usage.
Younger drivers want to access smartphones to send text messages, listen to music, or log onto social media sites – all while behind the wheel of a vehicle.
In fact, according to the research, while 95% of drivers over the age of 45 felt that text was “very unsafe” while driving, only 60% of drivers that were within the 18-20 age bracket thought that it was not okay to send a text while driving.
The Just Drive Pledge:
I pledge to Just Drive for my safety and for others with whom I share the roads. I choose not to drive distracted in any way – I will not:
Some examples of distracted driving include texting, using a cell phone, eating, reading, talking or arguing with passengers, caring for a child, changing the radio station, and putting on makeup.
Texting is one of the most extreme forms of distraction because it checks all the boxes of distraction categories.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that when driving at 55 MPH, sending or reading a text will take your eyes off the road for an average of five seconds.
This length of time is enough to travel the distance of a football field. You can easily see how an accident could be more apt to occur under these conditions.
Texas law prohibits the use of cell phones or other handheld devices under some conditions while driving.
Drivers cannot text while they are behind the wheel, and they may not read or write emails while driving.
New drivers with learner’s permits can use no handheld device during their first six months of driving. All drivers are prohibited from using handheld devices in school zones, and school bus operators cannot use a cell phone when children are on the bus.
Besides, local municipalities may have specific ordinances and restrictions that apply to cell phone use.
Also commercial truck drivers have strict rules regarding cell phone use while driving.
Proving another driver was texting before an accident can be challenging. A thorough investigation is usually needed with serious injury or wrongful death cases. Consult an experienced personal injury attorney for help.
Laws alone are not enough to prevent distracted driving. Take precautions to ensure that you do not allow yourself to become distracted when you drive.
Put your phone away while driving; if you need to use it, pull over. Do not eat or drink while you are driving. Teach teens safe driving habits and prohibit them from using their phones when they drive. Parents can place controls on their teen’s cell phone use.
Do not get behind the wheel if you are fatigued or if you have been drinking. Always allow a safe distance between vehicles.
If you suspect the driver who caused the accident was distracted, it is helpful to document the matter. The following can help your claim:
Shoot a video on your cellphone of the other driver’s response. Always take photographs of the vehicles and crash site- if possible.
Always get appropriate and needed medical care. Looking after your health is your number one priority.
Review your insurance policy to see if you have benefits you can take advantage of, like rental car coverage or PIP.
Keep all paperwork related to your medical treatment from the accident.
If you or a loved one were hurt due to a distracted driver, you might have compensation for your damages. The negligent driver may owe you money for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.
Contact an experienced auto accident attorney in Texas at Baumgartner Law Firm for a free consultation to discuss the details of your accident.
Call (281) 587-1111 or click here for an online consultation request! Read some of our 5-star reviews or look at some recent results!
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Since founding the Baumgartner Law Firm in 1985, Greg Baumgartner has established himself as a leading personal injury attorney in Houston, Texas, with a focus on representing severely injured accident victims and families who have suffered the loss of a loved one. His commitment to excellence in legal advocacy has earned him recognition from prestigious organizations, including Super Lawyers and the Top 100 Trial Lawyers and others. With decades of experience, Greg is consistently peer-reviewed and holds a preeminent rating, reflecting his dedication to achieving justice for his clients.
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