Distracted Driving

Auto Accident Attorney Phoenix, AZ

Distracted driving is a chronic problem on our roadways. Distracted driving includes doing almost anything besides focusing on driving while behind the wheel. Texting or talking on a cell phone inside the vehicle pulls our attention away from the task of driving.

Texting is one of the most unsafe distractions, experts estimate that a driver spends at least 5 seconds sending or reading a text. Traveling at 55 mph, is the equivalent of driving greater than the length of a football field, with your eyes closed!

In a recent study, 60% of people admitted to using their phone while driving. In a poll conducted by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), 69% of respondent drivers between the ages of 16 and 64 admitted to calling on the phone while driving and 31% sent or read a text message. The rates of phone usage were highest among the youngest drivers and in the West and South.

Phone usage is not the only source of distracted driving. In a HealthDaily poll, 86% of respondents admitted to eating or drinking while driving, 20% combing their hair, and 14% applying makeup, these activities may divert the driver’s attention and pose safety risks to others.

In 2016, 3,450 people died in car crashes caused by distracted driving. An additional 391,000 were injured. There is an estimated one crash every 24 seconds caused by a driver distracted by phone use.

Teens have an especially high rate of distracted driving collisions. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) found that 25% of all crashes involving teens were caused by distracted driving. The NHTSA recommends that everyone in the family signs a pledge to never drive distracted, and that the pledge is followed up by conversations about the responsibilities that come with driving.

Driving impaired is another type of distracted driving. Drinking slows reaction time, it takes longer for the brain to process a situation, and respond. Drinking may affect motor skills, including eye, hand and foot coordination, which may affect the ability to avoid or perceive a dangerous situation.

Drunk driving crashes claim more than 10,000 lives per year. Every day in the United States almost 29 people die in vehicle crashes where the driver was alcohol impaired. That equals one person every 50 minutes dying because of a drunk driver. Drugs other than alcohol accounted for another 16% of all accidents.

An auto accident attorney Phoenix, AZ offers can advise a victim about possible claims for damages, for injuries, bills, economic losses, since the collision and for the future.

Contact the Law Office of Paul Englander, PLC for their insight into personal injury claims and distracted driving that leads to accidents.