Distracted Driving is Deadly
April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month and few things are more distracting when driving than using your phone. Let’s be honest, for most people their smartphone may as well be another appendage. Many of us take our phone everywhere. Smartphones are virtually a necessity in the world we live in and sometimes we are required to check them for work or need to check them for personal reasons. Very rarely is checking your phone a matter of life or death, but looking at your phone while driving can be deadly.
Typing into your phone while driving is incredibly dangerous. Sending or reading a text takes your eyes off the road for 5 seconds. At 55 mph, that's like driving the length of an entire football field with your eyes closed. Obviously, driving this far at this speed without looking where you are going can be deadly for you, your passengers, and other drivers. In 2015,
3,477 people were killed, and
391,000 were injured in motor vehicle crashes involving distracted drivers. During daylight hours, approximately
660,000 drivers are using cell phones while driving. Teens are the largest age group reported as distracted at the time of fatal crashes.
There are ways for people to cut down on the number of injuries and deaths that result from distracted driving. Teens can speak up when they see a friend using their phone in the car. Parents can lead by example and can set rules requiring family members to practice safe driving techniques by only using their phone in the car when the car is stopped. Employers can create a company policy that forbids the use of a phone while driving a company or personal vehicle. Finally, local and state governments can create laws that deter and punish distracted drivers.
The
car accident lawyers at Cory Watson encourage you to drive safely and to never drive distracted. Getting home safe is worth so much more than checking or sending that text message or email.
And as always, if you’ve been injured in a car accident, we’re ready to help. Just give us a call for your free consultation, and we’ll get started on your case immediately.
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