Study Finds Web Surfing While Behind the Wheel Increasing

December 22, 2012 (Press-News.org) Driving is an everyday activity, but requires a significant amount of concentration and focus. However, anyone who has gotten behind the wheel recently knows that some drivers are better at focusing on the task of driving than others. This common observation was echoed in a recent study conducted by State Farm that revealed some alarming driving habits of teens and young adults.

The survey asked 1,000 people who have a driver's license, own a mobile phone and who drive at least one hour per week. From a safety standpoint, the results were shocking. The survey found that almost half of drivers under age 30 access the internet behind the wheel, which is a 29 percent increase from the results of a similar survey conducted in 2009.

Besides the increase in internet usage, the survey found similar increases in specific internet activities. The number of under-30 drivers who said that they accessed social media networks like Facebook or Twitter climbed to 36 percent from 21 percent in 2009. Additionally, checking e-mail increased to 43 percent from 32 percent.

Experts attribute the increase in internet activity in the driver's seat to the popularity and increasing prevalence of smartphones. In 2011 alone, about 72 million Apple iPhones were sold. This was an 81 percent increase over the 40 million iPhones that were sold a year earlier.

Dangers of distracted driving

Using a smartphone to access the Internet while behind the wheel is a form of distracted driving. The danger that distracted driving poses has been documented in many recent studies. For example, drivers who use their cellphones to text are 23 times more likely to be involved in a car accident than attentive drivers.

Additionally, sending a text takes the driver's eyes off the road for an average of 4.6 seconds; if the car is traveling 55 mph, this is long enough to drive the length of a football field. Although internet use while driving has not yet been the subject of a study, it is probably safe to say that it would take the driver's eyes off the road for longer than a text would.

Because their behavior needlessly puts other drivers at risk, under Florida law, distracted drivers can end up paying for their victim's medical bills, pain and suffering and property damages. Those who have been injured by a distracted driver would be well-advised to consult a knowledgeable personal injury attorney who can advise you on your right to compensation.

Article provided by Law Offices of Arturo Dopazo, III, P.A.
Visit us at dopazolaw.com