New technologies lead to increased risk on our nation's highways
According to the League of American Bicyclists, distracted driving is one of the top threats to cyclists and a contributing factor in a growing number of bicycle accidents.
February 23, 2013
New technologies lead to increased risk on our nation's highwaysArticle provided by Callahan & Blaine
Visit us at http://www.bicycle-litigation.com
Over the past decade, cell phone and Global Positioning System technologies have changed the way that people drive in the U.S. Although some of these changes have been good, there is no denying that the proliferation of these technologies has contributed to the emergence of distracted driving as a significant threat on our nation's roads and highways.
Distracted drivers a threat to everyone on the road - including bicyclists
According to the League of American Bicyclists, distracted driving is one of the top threats to cyclists and a contributing factor in a growing number of bicycle accidents. Statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration indicate that 3,092 people were killed and an additional 419,000 injured in motor vehicle accidents involving distracted drivers in 2010, the last year for which complete statistics are available. Overall, distracted drivers were responsible for nearly 18 percent of motor vehicle accidents that year. Amazingly, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 15 people are killed and 1200 people are injured each day in accidents involving distracted drivers.
Any activity that causes a driver to divert his attention from the primary task of driving can be dangerous. This includes not only behavior such as texting or checking email, but also eating, talking to passengers, reading a GPS device or adjusting an MP3 player.
What makes texting, writing email and updating social media while behind the wheel so dangerous is that these behaviors involve three different types of distraction: manual, visual and cognitive. In other words, the act of texting while driving requires a driver not only to remove his hands from the wheel and his eyes from the road, but also his attention from what is going on around him. This lack of awareness can be particularly deadly for bicyclists, who may find themselves forced out of a lane or worse simply because a driver did not realize they were there.
A personal injury attorney can help
If you or someone you love has suffered a serious injury due to the negligence of a distracted driver, contact an experienced personal injury attorney. A knowledgeable personal injury lawyer can assess your case and help you get the fair and adequate compensation you deserve for medical bills, lost wages and pain and suffering. For more information about what a personal injury attorney can do for you, contact a lawyer today.