Texting and driving concerns in the Pittsburgh area

April 17, 2013 (Press-News.org) Car accidents sometimes happen unavoidably, but more and more collisions occur because one individual was not paying attention and was, instead, texting while driving. Recent reports show that texting and driving is becoming more and more prominent, increasing the risk of injury while on the road.

United States' ranking for texting and driving

Federal government researchers found that two out of every three individuals admits to texting while driving. When looking comparatively at how the United States stands in relation to other countries, the United States was ranked as being the worst offender for texting and driving.

Talking on the phone while driving is also occurring more in the United States. Just shy of 69 percent of Americans aged 18-64 admitted to having phone conversations while driving in the last thirty days. Only 21 percent of British drivers and 40 percent of French drivers admitted to these same behaviors. Federal government researchers struggled to find reasons for the drastic differences. Varying laws could serve as an explanation as well as general attitudes about cellphone use and driving.

Texting while driving in Pittsburgh

The American Automobile Association performed an analysis of texting while driving in Pennsylvania by looking at statewide court records and found that the Pittsburgh area ranks second in Pennsylvania for texting-while-driving citations. Overall, the entire state has had 1,302 citations issued since the state law prohibiting texting while driving was enacted on March 8, 2012. The law fines individuals $50 for getting caught texting while driving and was created in response to the known dangers associated with texting behind the wheel.

The dangers of texting while driving

Texting while driving is dangerous for several reasons. First, it takes the driver's eyes off of the road. Second, the driver's reaction time is slowed because of their diverted attentions. And third, the texting driver is forced to take one or both hands off of the steering wheel, potentially causing the vehicle to drift into another lane or veer off the road all together.

Researchers from the University of North Texas Health Science Center reported that drivers distracted by cellphones killed an estimated 16,000 people from 2001 to 2007, based on National Highway Traffic Safety Administration data. Texting while driving is a huge concern and is connected to many car accidents.

Negligent drivers behind the wheel

An individual that is texting while behind the wheel is acting in a negligent manner. This means that they are not upholding their duty to be a safe driver. Cellphone use while driving endangers the vehicle operator, as well as everyone else around them when they participate in such behavior.

When a driver is negligent, they can be held responsible for an accident and any injuries that result. Injured parties can seek compensation for medical expenses, missed time at work and pain and suffering. An attorney that concentrates on personal injury law has the knowledge and experience needed to seek proper compensation.

Website: http://pittsburghcaraccidentlawyer.org