While some people are afraid to fly, what they should really be afraid of is getting behind the wheel and on the highway with other drivers that are using their cell phones. Accidents and fatalities have always been a part of driving, but with the invention of cell phones and texting, the chance of being a victim of a car accident caused by a distracted driver has increased over the years.
The Number Of Accidents Increases With Cell Phone Use
Chances are, you have seen someone using their cell phone while driving. They aren’t hard to spot. Their driving tends to be erratic and it is pretty obvious that they are not giving the road and those around them their complete attention. In fact, according to Ellen Pastorino’s article in Psychology Today, “Four out of five cell phone users admit to using their cell phones while driving.”
In addition, the article went on to say that, “In 2006, almost 6,000 people were killed and a half-million were injured in crashes related to driver distraction.” This information was obtained from a study done in 2010 by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA.)
In fact, it gets even worse. A 2009 study showed that those who texted while driving, regardless of whether they were holding their phone or using a hands-free device, had reaction times that were worse than those drivers that were either intoxicated or on drugs.
Finally, the Pastorino’s article revealed that those who engaged in cell phone use while driving were, “four times more likely to be involved in a crash.”
The Realities Of Driving Alongside Distracted Drivers
While lawmakers are writing new laws to address distracted drivers, including those that talk on their cell phones and text while driving, the reality is people are going to continue to text and drive. In today’s world of constant connection, many find that the urge to check their messages or answer them is too strong to resist even when driving.
This means that the possibility of being a victim of a distracted driving accident is not going away. If it happens to you, you do have some recourse. By using the services of an experienced lawyer, you may be able to pursue compensation. Stephen T. Holman, P.A., can guide you through the process.
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