The Dangers of Distracted Driving
By now, most people are at the very least familiar with the dangers of driving while distracted. Some consider it as dangerous as driving while intoxicated because it is far more commonplace. As a personal injury law firm in Salt Lake City, UT, one question eludes us, “why do people still do it?” It may sound counterintuitive, but one of our main goals in the community is to promote safety. This is especially true when it comes to driving on freeways and highways. We have seen the devastating firsthand experience that can come when a car crash results in significant injuries. Below is some more information about distracted driving; the numbers may surprise you.
Statistics regarding distracted driving
According to a study handled by The Zebra, the largest culprits of distracted driving is the age group of 18 to 35. When we see these numbers, it is easy to conclude that most of their using a cell phone while driving is for personal use. This includes things like checking social media or texting their friends. It is undoubtedly the case that many teens are using their phones for fun while operating a vehicle. However, almost 40% of the respondents to the study said that they used their phone in response to answering work-related text messages and phone calls.
The Texas Institute of Transportation provided the second statistic we would like to mention. Their study provided online; they found that reaction times are doubled compared to that of a normal, non-distracted driver. The amount of time someone’s eyes were diverted from the road was averaged to be around 5 seconds. When someone is traveling at 55 miles per hour, this will equate to the distance of an entire football field being covered without looking. But the safety concerns are not limited to just reaction times of upcoming obstacles in the road. They also found that a distracted driver has difficulties staying in their lane and maintaining a consistent speed while driving.
Finding an automobile accident attorney
Distracted driving is the number one reason that car accidents happen on the road. Although many of these accidents are relatively minor, they can bring life-ending results as well. Cell phone use is the largest culprit, but there are also factors such as talking to passengers, eating and adjusting the stereo, or using an onboard GPS. The sad reality is that these are all caused by human error and could have been avoided. If you or a loved one has been involved in an accident caused by a distracted driver, consider contacting The Law Offices of Roberto Hernandez for a consultation.
Disclaimer
The information provided on this website is for informational purposes only. This website contains general information relating to areas of law familiar to our firm. The information should not be construed as legal advice or other professional advice. You should not rely on the contents of this website as such. Participation on this website does not create any kind of attorney-client relationship. If you need legal advice or representation, please contact my office, and I would be pleased to discuss your case with you and see if my firm can help.
