According to Overwhelming Evidence Cellphones Contribute to Distracted Driving
According to recent research by the Governors Highway Safety Association, there is some disheartening information on how states, including Georgia, treat cellphone usage and driving.
Only 10 states, not including Georgia, prohibit all drivers from using a hand-held cellphone while operating a motor vehicle. While Georgia does ban school bus drivers and those under 18 years of age from using a hand-held cell phone while driving, it has no prohibitions from using a cell phone to talk and drive.
However, there is some good news for drivers in Georgia when it comes to texting while driving. No matter who is behind the wheel of no matter what kind of vehicle, all drivers in Georgia are prohibited from creating, sending, or receiving text messages. Since this behavior is so dangerous because taking your eyes off the road for even a second can be deadly, it has been outlawed. However, using a cellphone while driving is equally as dangerous as texting because the act of turning it on, looking at the phone to dial the phone number and end the phone call require concentration and taking one’s eyes off the road can be very dangerous.
According to research there are many proven effects of distracted driving, whether one texts or talks on a cell phone. The research conducted by the Governors Highway Safety Association has found:
- Driving performance is reduced which increases the likelihood of an auto accident.
- Talking on a cellphone increases the time a driver is distracted by as much as half of their driving time.
- As many as 1 in 4 accidents are blamed on distracted drivers. All types of crashes are blamed on distracted driving including minor property damage to fatal injuries.
If you have been injured or have had a family member killed due to a distracted driver, contact a Mountain Park accident attorney right away. Depending on your unique circumstances, you may be able to file a personal injury claim to recover if you have damages. However, the only way to determine if you have a case and what types of damages you may have sustained is by speaking with a Georgia accident lawyer at Shane Smith Law. Call our law offices at (980) 246-2656 today!
There are some things you can do yourself and you can educate others to do to reduce the chances of innocent Georgia drivers becoming involved in an auto accident due to a distracted driver.
- Turn your cellphone off before you get into the car. If your cellphone is off before you get in the car, you will be far less likely to turn it on and use it while driving. You will be rightly too focused on staying safe with your eyes on the road and your hands on the wheel.
- Inform your friends, family members and co-workers about the dangers of talking and texting while driving. Give them statistics and let them know about the dangers of distracted driving.
- If you see a distracted driver talking or texting on their cellphone or exhibiting other types of distracting behavior get off the road as soon as safely as possible. If you are in a parking lot and see someone driving while talking, just let them go about their business and get far away from you.
Even if you are vigilant and do your best to stay away from distracted drivers, innocent Georgia drivers unfortunately become victims of negligent distracted drivers. If you are a victim and have suffered direct and indirect injuries and damages, you may have a case. Contact your Mountain Park auto accident lawyer at Shane Smith Law at (980) 246-2656 today to schedule your free legal consultation today!