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The dangers of distracted driving

On Behalf of | Feb 17, 2015 | Car Accidents

In Ohio and around the country, drivers are reminded to stay focused on the road and avoid distractions when behind the wheel. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, more than nine people are killed and another 1,153 are injured each day around the country as a result of distracted driving.

A distraction is defined as any activity that takes the driver’s attention away from the road. There are three primary types of distractions that can results in accidents, including taking the eyes off the road, removing the hands from the steering wheel, and allowing the mind to drift away from the task of driving. Common examples include texting or using a cellphone, eating, and using navigation systems. Texting while driving is considered particularly dangerous because it encourages all three types of distracted driving.

This is viewed as a growing problem around the country. According to the NHTSA, approximately 387,000 people were injured in 2011 in accidents where a distracted driver was involved. This number rose to 421,000 in 2012, an increase of approximately 9 percent. This is a pervasive problem with 31 percent of drivers between the ages of 18 and 64 admitting to reading or sending text messages while driving.

When someone is injured in an auto accident, determining fault goes beyond looking at the evidence that is available at the scene. An attorney can request cellphone records to determine if a driver may have been sending a text message or talking on the phone at the time of the accident. Victims who are seeking compensation for their injuries may be able to use this information in a lawsuit to help to hold the appropriate party responsible for their actions.

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Distracted Driving, accessed on Feb. 16, 2015

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