Distracted driving causes thousands of car wrecks in Texas and nationwide each year, which is why the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and experienced Texas car accident lawyers are determined to inform the public and reduce risks.
The NHTSA defines distracted driving as “any activity that could divert a person’s attention away from the primary task of driving.” Cell phone use and texting are well-known distractions, but eating and drinking, changing the radio station, having conversations, or watching things other than what is outside the vehicle can also cause distraction.
Here are five key facts and statistics to know about distracted driving:
- Distracted driving crash deaths dropped 7 percent between 2012 and 2013, but about 3,000 more injuries were reported in 2013 than in 2012.
- Among drivers under age 20, 10 percent who suffer car accidents were distracted at the time of the crash. Drivers in this age group make up 27 percent of all distracted drivers in fatal crashes.
- About 660,000 drivers are using cell phones at any given moment on the road. This number has not decreased since 2010 despite state and national efforts to warn drivers about the risks.
- When you text, your eyes are off the road for about five seconds. At 55 miles per hour, this means your car will travel the length of a football field without the driver’s eyes, hands, or mind on the task of driving.
- About 25 percent of teen drivers respond to a text message at least once every time they drive. Twenty percent of teens and ten percent of parents admit to having entire text conversations while they drive.
If you or a loved one has been involved in a traffic collision with a distracted driver, you are strongly urged to take legal action. By holding the at-fault motorist accountable, not only will you be able to recover significant financial compensation for your losses, but you will help spread the message that driving and using a cell phone are not tolerated. Contact Crowe Arnold & Majors, LLP for a free consultation about your rights and options.
