February 13, 2013 (Press-News.org) There has been a lot of discussion of texting while driving in the media lately for good reason. After all, those who do are 23 times more likely to be involved in a car accident than those who don't. Texting while driving is not the only form of distracted driving. As smartphones have evolved and made it easy to access the Internet, a new survey shows that more people are surfing the web or "webbing" while behind the wheel, putting others on the road at risk.
The survey, which was conducted by State Farm, found that young people--those between 18 and 29 years old--were especially likely to engage in webbing. According to the survey, the number of young drivers who said that they accessed the Internet while driving in 2012 increased 65 percent over 2009 to 48 percent of young drivers overall.
Young drivers are not the only ones surfing the web while driving. The survey's results found that webbing increased among all age groups, increasing from 13 percent in 2009 to 21 percent in 2012. More drivers also used their smartphones to perform other web-based activity during this time period. The number of drivers checking their social networks, such as Facebook, increased from 9 percent to 15 percent. Additionally, drivers who updated their social media websites went from 9 percent to 13 percent.
Although distracted activities while driving negatively affects the driving performance of people in all age groups, statistics indicate that younger drivers are more affected. Drivers who are under 20 years old are the most likely to be distracted, according to data from the Department of Transportation. Additionally, the young driver age group also had the highest proportion of drivers who were involved in fatal car accidents that were caused by distractions.
Accessing the Internet while driving causes the same dangers to others on the road as other forms of distracted driving. If a driver takes his or her eyes off the road to use a smartphone, it may cause the car to swerve outside of its lane or cross a median. Additionally, the distracted driver is less likely to notice bicyclists, pedestrians or the car in front, severely increasing the chance of a tragic car accident.
Consult an attorney
Under Texas law, it is illegal for novice drivers--persons under 18 years old--to use cell phones or text while driving. However, there is no ban on texting among other age groups.
Although not prohibited by law, distracted drivers can still face legal consequences. Under Texas law, individuals who are injured by a distracted driver are entitled to file a lawsuit to recover damages such as pain and suffering, lost wages and present and future medical expenses. If you or a loved one has been injured by an inattentive driver, consult an experienced personal injury attorney. An attorney can work to ensure that your right to compensation is protected and the responsible party is held accountable.
Article provided by Michael P. Fleming & Associates, P.C.
Visit us at www.flemingattorneys.com/
Web surfing while driving on the increase
Statistics show that accessing the Internet while driving is increasing.
2013-02-13
ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:
Traffic fatalities in Palm Beach County up, distracted driving may be to blame
2013-02-13
While much of the country has acknowledged the dangers of distracted driving, Florida has yet to implement any laws banning certain behaviors common among distracted drivers. Florida as a whole -- and Palm Beach County in particular -- recently saw a spike in traffic fatalities, leading many to question whether it is time for Florida legislators to take action to prevent distracted driving fatalities.
In 2012, the number of deaths caused by motor vehicle accidents increased by 17 percent in Palm Beach County, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. In 2011, there were ...
California Tour Bus Accident Brings Sorrow, Questions
2013-02-13
On February 3, 2013, a tour bus travelling from Tijuana, Mexico to the San Bernadino Mountains careened out of control down state Route 38 near Yucaipa, California. The bus driver, unable to brake, yelled for passengers to call 911. Shortly thereafter, the bus hit a car, rolled over, ran into a pick-up truck and slid nearly one mile before coming to a stop. At least seven people were killed, dozens more were injured.
Now, families are mourning the loss of their loved ones, injured passengers are learning what their lives will be like once they are out of the hospital, ...
Gov. Cuomo Proposes Plea Limits, $80 Surcharge for Speeding Tickets
2013-02-13
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo has introduced a budget proposal that has both defense attorneys and local governments talking. His proposal would increase the fines for common nonmoving violations, or "parking on the pavement" violations, by $80. That surcharge would go to the state. He also wants to make it more difficult for defendants to bargain their speeding charges down to nonmoving violations if they were going 20 mph or more over the speed limit.
"What we're trying to do is stop the wholesale plea bargaining for dangerous offenses," the governor's ...
Unum Loses Big to Quadriplegic Insured
2013-02-13
A court opinion from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit came down hard on Unum, the nation's largest disability insurer, after it tried to underpay benefits owed to its insured, who was paralyzed in a severe bicycling accident. Stephan v. Unum Life Insurance Company of America, 697 F.3d 917 (9th Cir. 2012), is already being widely cited for its landmark legal rulings in the area of Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) governed insurance plans.
Evidence of Unum's Well-Established Bias Is Admissible
First, the decision makes clear that in determining ...
New Jersey Personal Injury Law Firm Prevails for Client
2013-02-13
The Law Offices of Greg Prosmushkin, P.C. proudly announces the settlement of a slip and fall case in the amount of $100,000.00. The plaintiff, a sixty two year old man, tripped on a defective sidewalk and sustained a right wrist fracture.
New Jersey Personal Injury Attorneys
The Law Offices of Greg Prosmushkin, P.C. represents injured clients in a wide range of legal matters involving personal injury including fall down accidents, car accidents, truck accidents, construction accidents and many more.
To learn more about our injury practice, please visit our website ...
Last Year's Chicago-Area Home Foreclosure Numbers Don't Look Pretty
2013-02-13
Behind every home foreclosure is a person.
You never thought you'd lose your job. Or that you'd get sick or injured and find yourself unable to work.
You never thought you'd have to scrape for the money to make a mortgage payment.
You never thought you'd get so behind you'd go into default, and have to deal with a mortgage lender, who may or may not be all that interested in helping you solve the problem so you can save your home.
But when these things happen, it's all you worry about. This is your "legal problem," as if such a problem could be described ...
Ignition Interlock: A Simple Step Toward Preventing PA Drunk Driving Fatalities
2013-02-13
An ignition interlock device prevents drivers from operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol. The driver must blow into the device; if no alcohol is detected or an alcohol content below the programmed acceptable rate, the driver will then be able to start his or her vehicle.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) recently recommended that all states require ignition interlock devices for first time drunk driving offenders. AAA threw the great weight of its support behind the NTSB recommendation. Both the NTSB and AAA believe that the change, ...
Johnston County Defense Lawyer Patrick Roberts Earns Dismissal in Drug Trafficking Case
2013-02-13
Raleigh criminal defense lawyer Patrick Roberts of Roberts Law Group, PLLC, in Raleigh, successfully argued for dismissal of drug charges after a routine traffic stop resulted in an illegal search of the defendant's home. The client was facing up to 84 months in prison on cocaine charges.
An important fact in this case is that the investigation started after a routine traffic stop, but the client eventually facing drug trafficking charges was not in the car at the time of the stop. Law enforcement officers in Johnston County stopped a driver, citing a traffic violation, ...
Diet Pill Specialists, Healthe Trim, Use Pedometers to Help with Their Fitness Plans
2013-02-13
A study conducted by the Stanford University School of Medicine reported that the regular use of a pedometer is associated with significant increases in physical activity and weight loss. These small, inexpensive devices track every step that you take. They have also been shown to improve blood pressure simply by motivating people to be more active.
In a similar study by the University of Michigan, it was reported that wearing a pedometer can help you lose extra pounds even if you don't diet. The effects are greatly increased with proper diet and exercise, but researchers ...
Atlanta Shredding Professionals, A Shred Ahead, Offer Free Shredding Guide On Website
2013-02-13
Recycling Your Paper is Easy
The Atlanta shredding firm, A Shred Ahead, wants to announce that it offers a step-by-step guide on its website for how their service works. In regards to shredding services, Atlanta business owners are advised to visit the site if they have any questions at all. The firm provides a detailed and user-friendly diagram that their customers can review.
How Does the Recycling Process Work?
The Atlanta shredding company provides specialized bins that customers use. To obtain one, you will need to call or email the firm to start your service. ...
LAST 30 PRESS RELEASES:
Intra-arterial tenecteplase for acute stroke after successful endovascular therapy
Study reveals beneficial microbes that can sustain yields in unfertilized fields
Robotic probe quickly measures key properties of new materials
Climate change cuts milk production, even when farmers cool their cows
Frozen, but not sealed: Arctic Ocean remained open to life during ice ages
Some like it cold: Cryorhodopsins
Demystifying gut bacteria with AI
Human wellbeing on a finite planet towards 2100: new study shows humanity at a crossroads
Unlocking the hidden biodiversity of Europe’s villages
Planned hydrogen refuelling stations may lead to millions of euros in yearly losses
Planned C-sections increase the risk of certain childhood cancers
Adults who have survived childhood cancer are at increased risk of severe COVID-19
Drones reveal extreme coral mortality after bleaching
New genetic finding uncovers hidden cause of arsenic resistance in acute promyelocytic leukemia
Native habitats hold the key to the much-loved smashed avocado’s future
Using lightning to make ammonia out of thin air
Machine learning potential-driven insights into pH-dependent CO₂ reduction
Physician associates provide safe care for diagnosed patients when directly supervised by a doctor
How game-play with robots can bring out their human side
Asthma: patient expectations influence the course of the disease
UNM physician tests drug that causes nerve tissue to emit light, enabling faster, safer surgery
New study identifies EMP1 as a key driver of pancreatic cancer progression and poor prognosis
XPR1 identified as a key regulator of ovarian cancer growth through autophagy and immune evasion
Flexible, eco-friendly electronic plastic for wearable tech, sensors
Can the Large Hadron Collider snap string theory?
Stuckeman professor’s new book explores ‘socially sustainable’ architecture
Synthetic DNA nanoparticles for gene therapy
New model to find treatments for an aggressive blood cancer
Special issue of Journal of Intensive Medicine analyzes non-invasive respiratory support
T cells take aim at Chikungunya virus
[Press-News.org] Web surfing while driving on the increaseStatistics show that accessing the Internet while driving is increasing.