Dangers of Distracted Driving

 

It’s easy to forget that driving is the most dangerous thing many of us do every day. Because it is a daily reality, we are lulled into thinking that driving is simply a commonplace part of life, when in fact it merits our full attention every time we get behind the wheel.

This is startlingly apparent when you examine the data put together by the CDC outlining the most common causes of death for every age group. The table shows that death by “Unintentional Motor Vehicle Traffic” is the top reason for fatality across the board, and never drops below the top 2 causes for any age group.

Common Distractions

If driving in itself is so dangerous, then distracted driving is extremely foolish. You are never in complete control over your safety on the road, since you never know what another driver will do, but you give yourself a much better chance if you stay alert.

Distracted driving is driving while simultaneously doing another activity or attending to something other than the road. Some common examples include:

• Texting
• Scrolling through social media apps on your phone
• Talking on the phone
• Eating or drinking
• Interacting with passengers or pets
• Rubbernecking
• Adjusting GPS, air conditioning, music system

Nowadays, and especially among younger people, cell phone use while driving is a particular problem. Some studies indicate that texting while driving is 6 times more dangerous than driving intoxicated. In fact, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that driving while texting is akin to driving after having consumed 4 beers.

Don’t be one of the thousands killed or hundreds of thousands injured every year in accidents involving distracted driving. Minimize distractions as much as possible by putting away your phone and keeping your eyes on the road at all times. That way, you can ensure that you don’t cause any accidents because of your own negligent driving, and can also be ready for any dangerous, distracted drivers you will meet on the road.

Injured? Call an Experienced Auto Accident Attorney

You can’t always avoid an accident. And, unfortunately, there is a high likelihood of injury in auto accidents, since collisions between heavy, fast-moving objects are especially violent. In that case, you need the expert services of an  We have built a reputation in southeastern Missouri as crusaders for victims injured by the negligence of others. If someone was texting and driving while they clattered into you and gave you a neck or back injury, you are entitled to legal compensation. Come see us for a free consultation to hear more about how we can help you. Give us a call at 573-335-9300.