Distracted Driving Accident Attorney in Houston

Understanding Distracted Driving Accidents

Every day in the U.S., nine people are killed in accidents involving distracted driving, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Despite its prevalence and impact on public health, most people don’t think twice about engaging in distracted driving.

Driver distraction is a significant cause of car accidents, emphasizing its preventable nature through the avoidance of common distractions. Understanding the nature of this dangerous behavior can help you avoid a potentially lethal accident.

Types of Distracted Driving

Most people assume that distracted driving always involves cell phones, but that’s not true. Distracted driving accidents often involve cell phone use, like texting. But any activity that takes a driver’s focus away from the road can be considered distracted driving. Distracted driving means an activity that causes someone to fail to maintain a proper lookout.

Driving distractions typically fall into one of three main categories: visual, manual, or cognitive. There are three types of distractions while driving. Visual distractions occur when you look away from the road. Manual distractions happen when you take your hands off the steering wheel. Cognitive distractions occur when you lose focus on driving.

Here are a few of the ways in which these distractions can manifest:

• Drinking (alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages) and eating
• Setting or adjusting the navigation system
• Using cell phone applications, including maps apps
• Operating the sound system, finding music, adjusting the radio, etc.
• Talking on the phone and texting
• Searching for an item that is out of reach
• Interacting with other passengers

Although the above-listed activities play a disproportionate role in distracting driving accidents, they aren’t the only activities that can cause wrecks. Ultimately, drivers should avoid engaging in anything that doesn’t directly pertain to safely operating their vehicles.

Who Are the Distracted Drivers?

Distracted driving is a problem for people of all ages and backgrounds, not just young people. It is dangerous behavior. However, the data does suggest that young adult and teen drivers may be especially prone to multi-tasking from behind the wheel.

Research compiled by the CDC reveals a number of insights about young drivers and distractibility. Here are some of those findings:

• Among drivers between the ages of 15 and 20 involved in fatal crashes, about nine percent were distracted at the time of the crash.
• According to a 2019 survey, about 39% of high school students who had driven in the previous 30 days reported texting or emailing at least once while driving.
• Students who texted or emailed while driving were also more likely to engage in other risky driving behaviors, including not always wearing a seatbelt and riding with a driver who had been drinking and driving after drinking alcohol.
• Texting and emailing while driving are more common among older teens than younger teens.

Not all accidents are preventable. In many instances, drivers are involved in crashes that have nothing to do with them. Distracted driving is caused by recklessness, not external factors. More education is necessary to inform young drivers about the dangers of being distracted while driving. Our law firm specializes in Houston distracted driving accident cases, providing expert consultations and legal services to those affected.