How Bad is Distracted Driving?

There is a silent epidemic affecting the roadways of America. Almost as dangerous as drunk driving, this behavior is responsible for nearly 425,000 injuries and over three thousand deaths, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). It is a symptom of our technologically advanced world, an old issue coming to a horrible head: distracted driving.

What is Distracted Driving?

While drunk driving is easy to define and understand, as it has strict codified laws and measurements, distracted driving is more of a category of driver behaviors. Distracted driving involves a driver not giving their full attention to the road ahead, meaning they perform other actions while driving. These actions could include talking to their passengers, using the media center of their car, or using their cellphones while operating a vehicle. When you are barreling down the highway at the rate of a football field per second, any distraction can become hazardous.

How Can I Prevent Distracted Driving?

There are several strategies that drivers can implement to combat distracted driving. One of the most significant factors in distracted driving is cell phone use. To this end, silencing a cell phone and not checking it while on the road can be one of the most effective ways not to become distracted. Many states have laws that forbid active cell phone use or cell phone use altogether while operating a vehicle. Another strategy is to keep any conversation during driving to a minimum. Speaking with passengers is similar to talking on the phone– it prevents your full attention from being on the road.

Have You Been In an Accident Involving a Distracted Driver?

If you or a loved one has been injured by a driver whose attention was not wholly on the road, the skilled personal injury attorneys at Shane Smith Law can help. Contact us at (980) 246-2656 or reach out through our website for a free, no-obligation consultation. Our team has over fifty years of experience and can help you understand your options.