Distracted driving has become more prevalent than ever in recent years. The main culprit in the disturbing trend is the device you are likely using right now – cell phones.
About eight people in the United States are killed every day in motor vehicle accidents that involve at least one distracted driver (CDC). Per the CDC, distracted driving is considered any activity that takes your attention away from driving, and cell phone usage is the most common activity.
Multitasking While Driving Leads to Motor Vehicle Accidents
When multi-tasking, your attention is divided between your various activities, so you are not devoting 100% of your mental capacity to any single activity. You might feel comfortable multitasking as you listen to music while working at your desk, but in that situation there is zero risk. However, there are major risks when operating vehicles.
Studies show that even hands-free devices - often advertised as safer than traditional cell phones – are not as safe as one might think and should never be used when driving. When using a hands-free device, drivers can fail to recognize up to 50% of their surroundings because they are partially focused on their cell phone conversation.
Devoting 50% of your effort to communicating and 50% to driving is a recipe for disaster and can have serious, or even fatal, consequences. Talking while driving or texting and driving puts innocent people at risk. It’s important to remember the responsibility that comes with operating a motor vehicle.
Motor Vehicle Accident Facts
(NSC, unless otherwise noted)
- Cell phone usage while driving leads to at least 1.3 million motor vehicle accidents per year.
- 1 out of 4 motor vehicle accidents nationwide involve at least one texter-and-driver.
- You are 6x more likely to cause an accident from texting and driving than driving drunk.
- A texting driver is 23 times more likely to crash than a non-texting driver (Drive Safe Alabama).
- It takes the brain 13 seconds to refocus following cell phone usage. That’s 13 seconds too many to react to road conditions or other drivers if you’re operating a motor vehicle.
Even these staggering statistics don’t tell the whole story. Cell phone-involved car crashes are widely underreported due to a lack of proper methods to capture texting and hands-free cell phone usage.
Per most recent data, the number of motor vehicle accident deaths in Alabama was 21% higher in 2021 than in 2020. Through just nine months of 2021, total motor vehicle accident-related fatalities had already exceeded the number of total fatalities in the state in 2019.
Talking or Texting and Driving – an Accident Attorney’s Point of View
Cory Watson Personal Injury Attorney Curt Tanner has a wealth of knowledge and experience handling motor vehicle accident cases.
“Cellphones are a huge factor in the increase of motor vehicle-related fatalities,” Tanner said. “They can be a constant distraction sitting right beside you.”
Tanner also noted that most fatal car crashes occur at night. While many may not be able to forgo driving at night, it’s crucial to be extra cautious and aware when operating your vehicle in the dark. Your ability to gauge surroundings is drastically reduced in nighttime hours, so it’s even more imperative you avoid distractions after the sun sets.
Cell Phone Distracted Driving Tips for Parents – Prevent a Car Wreck Lawsuit
The teen age group accounts for both the highest number of distracted drivers and highest number of distracted driving-related fatalities [ages 15 to 19 (NHTSA)]. Cell phones are one of the main factors behind this tragic statistic. It’s important for parents to take ownership and fully recognize the responsibility that comes with not only allowing your teen to drive, but also teaching them the rules of the road. Here are some tips for parents to remember when handing over the keys to their child:
- Educate your child about the dangers of texting or talking while driving. Show them statistics like these.
- Stress not only putting the phone down while driving, but putting it on silent. Don’t just reduce distractions, negate them.
- Lead by example. If your child sees you talking or texting while operating a vehicle, they might think it’s OK if they do, too. It’s not. Drive with extra care when your child or children are in the car.
We know that even the most safety-conscious can get into serious accidents. If you or someone you love suffered an injury due to someone else’s negligence, contact the experienced car wreck lawyers at Cory Watson. Call 205-749-7934 today or complete this brief survey for your 100% free case review.
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Cory Watson Attorneys is a nationally recognized personal injury law firm with offices in Birmingham, Alabama; Memphis and Nashville, Tennessee. The firm has recovered more than $4 Billion for clients across the country. Attorneys are frequently at the forefront of major class actions and multidistrict litigations involving dangerous pharmaceuticals and product liability, and are often appointed to leadership positions in national cases. Firm practice areas include Personal Injury, Product Liability, Class Action, Asbestos, Business & Commercial Litigation, Dangerous Pharmaceuticals, Defective Medical Devices, and Environmental/Toxic Torts. To learn more, visit CoryWatson.com.
Cory Watson Attorneys is a nationally recognized personal injury law firm with offices in Birmingham, Alabama; Memphis and Nashville, Tennessee. The firm has recovered more than $4 Billion for clients across the country. Attorneys are frequently at the forefront of major class actions and multidistrict litigations involving dangerous pharmaceuticals and product liability, and are often appointed to leadership positions in national cases. Firm practice areas include Personal Injury, Product Liability, Class Action, Asbestos, Business & Commercial Litigation, Dangerous Pharmaceuticals, Defective Medical Devices, and Environmental/Toxic Torts. To learn more, visit CoryWatson.com.