The Dangers of Distracted Driving

KANSAS CITY, MO, May 09, 2013

Distracted driving refers to any activity that can cause a driver to be distracted from the road. This can lead to serious car accidents resulting in life-changing injuries (head, neck and back injuries, burn injuries, broken bones, scarring and disfigurement, loss of limb, brain injuries, or paralysis) and death. There is no such thing as a driver distraction that does not endanger the driver, passengers, others on the road, and pedestrians. Driver distractions can include texting, talking on the phone, eating and drinking, conversing with passengers, grooming, reading, using a GPS, and much more.

Texting while driving is known to be one of the most dangerous of driver distractions. This is because texting requires visual, physical, and cognitive attention, which can greatly distract a driver from the many potential dangers on the road, some of which can be unexpected and require a quick response. Due to high speeds and the sheer force and power of a motor vehicle, driving requires our full attention. However, oftentimes drivers neglect to respect the seriousness of the driving activity in which they are engaged and the amazing amount of responsibility and alertness required of drivers, even those that are most seasoned.

Injuries and deaths resulting from distracted driving are on the rise, and in 2010 as many as 18% of injury causing crashes were the result of distracted driving. Not surprisingly, the drivers with the highest reported instances of accident and injuries resulting from distractions are those under the age of 20. While their reflexes may be sharper, their experience is typically quite limited. A recent report shows that 11% of fatal accidents caused by drivers under the age of 20 are a result of distracted driving, and over 40% of American teens report that they have been in the car with a driver who used a cellular phone in a way that put others in danger. This is an alarming statistic, especially considering that, according to a study conducted at Monash University, drivers who use handheld devices are four times as likely to get into an injury causing car accident.

The statistics speak for themselves; Distracted driving is an extremely dangerous and prevalent issue facing drivers and those who share the road with them. It is important to take this into serious consideration before you text, use a GPS, talk on the phone, or engage in any activity that takes your mind and eyes off of the road while driving. You run the heightened risk of not only injuring yourself, but others as well. If you are in the habit of using handheld devices or any other form of distraction from driving, you will do yourself and others a great service to put the device away or allow a passenger to do any task that may otherwise distract you.

If you or someone you know has been injured because another driver was distracted, contact a professional and experienced personal injury attorney to help guide you through the process involved in receiving compensation.

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