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 unable to maintainย 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.ย
Nine Lives are Lost Every Day From Distracted Driving
The increase is likely due to the growing use of smartphones for calling and texting. According to theย 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.
Facts About Distracted Driving
According to theย Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:
* Nine people are killed, and more than 1,000 people are injured inย car wrecksย that are 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.
- In a recent year, more than 3,400 people died in car accidents that were reported to involve a distracted driver, and another 448,000 people were injured.
- Among those killed or injured in these crashes, nearly 1,000 deaths and 24,000 injuries included cell phone use as the major distraction.
- The proportion of drivers reportedly distracted at the time of a fatal crash has increased every year.
- *25% of drivers in the United States reported that they โregularly or fairly oftenโ talk on their cell phones while driving.
*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 โregularlyโ or โfairly oftenโ 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 โregularlyโ or โfairly oftenโ while driving.
* Distracted driving is the leading cause of accidents in the United States. Aย fatal car accidentย occurs many times every day due to distracted driving.
Three Main Driving Distractions
Distracted driving is driving while your attention is diverted from driving. There are three main distractions for drivers:
* Visual distractions
* Manual distractions and
* Cognitiveย distractions
Visual distractions-
are the easiest to understand, and they are activities that divert your eyes off the road and onto something else. Such as reading a text or interacting with another passenger.
Manual distractions-
involve taking your hands off the wheel to engage in other activities, such as eating, drinking, or adjusting the radio.
Cognitive distractions-
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 has increased significantly over the last 15 years, largely due to technological advancements. Today, our society is โconnected,โ and the number of car accidents has increased due 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 the dangers of driving. The problem is so prevalent that numerous ad campaigns speak on the potentially hazardous environment that is created by drunk driving.
Younger Drivers are More Susceptible to Distracted Driving
Studies have shown that younger drivers under the age of 20 are at an increased risk of accidents due to distraction and have the highest percentage of distraction-related fatal accidents.
Please watch where you are going โ you may not get a second chance to make the unfortunate decision to drive distracted.
It stands to reason that the group most at risk, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, is drivers under 25. 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 the widespread use of technology.
Younger drivers want to access smartphones to send text messages, listen to music, or log onto social media sites โ all while behind the wheel of a vehicle.
In fact, according to research, while 95% of drivers over the age of 45 considered texting while driving โvery unsafe,โ only 60% of drivers in the 18-20 age bracket thought it was not okay to send a text while driving.
Take the Focused Driver Pledge!
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 โ I will not:
- Have a phone conversation โ handheld, hands-free, or via Bluetooth
- Text or send Snapchats
- Use voice-to-text features in my vehicleโs dashboard system
- Update Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Vimeo, Snapchat, or other social media
- Check or send emails
- Take selfies or film videos
- Input destinations into GPS (while the vehicle is in motion)
- Call or message someone else when I know they are driving
Examples of Distractions While Driving
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.ย
Texting is one of the most extreme forms of distraction because it checks all the boxes of distraction categories.ย
How Dangerous Is Texting While Driving in Texas?
Theย Centers for Disease Control and Preventionย (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 is more likely to occur under these conditions.
Cell Phone Laws in Texas
ย Texas law prohibits the use of cell phones or other handheld devices while driving under certain conditions.
Drivers cannot text while driving, and they should not read or write emails while behind the wheel.
New drivers with learnerโs 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 are also prohibited from using cell phones when children are on the bus.ย
Additionally, local municipalities may have specific ordinances and restrictions that govern 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 for serious injury or wrongful death cases. Consult an experienced personal injury attorney for help.
How to Prevent Distracted Driving
Laws alone are not enough to prevent distracted driving. Take precautions to avoid distractions while driving.ย
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 while driving. Parents can place controls on their teensโ cell phone use.ย
Do not get behind the wheel if you are fatigued or if you have been drinking. Always allow a safe distance between vehicles.
What to Do If You Are In an Accident With a Distracted Driver?
If you suspect the driver who caused the accident was distracted, it is helpful to document the matter. The following can help your claim:
- Statements from the driver like โI am sorry I was on the phoneโ are important admissions.
- Seeing the driver on the phone.
- Witnesses observed the driver using a cell phone at the moment of impact.
- Obtain the name and phone number of any witness.
Shoot a video on your cellphone of the other driverโs response. Always take photographs of the vehicles and the crash site- if possible.
If You Were Injured in the Crash
Always receive the appropriate and necessary medical care. Maintaining your health is your top 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.
Read More: Why Are Rear-End Collisions So Common on Texas Highways?
Call the Best Houston Car Accident Lawyer You Can Find
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 Houston auto accident attorney atย Baumgartner Law Firmย for a free consultation to discuss the details of your accident.
Call (281) 587-1111 or click here to request an online consultation. Read some of our 5-star reviews or look at some recent results!
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Related Resources:
Distracted Driving Infographic
