Vehicle Accidents -
Distracted Driving Dangers – Yes This Means You Too
Are you a distracted driver?
Distracted driving was the cause of 412,000 injuries and 3,328 fatalities in 2012 according to the National Highway Travel Safety Administration (NHTSA). In an attempt to avoid unnecessary deaths and injuries, Georgia passed its “No Texting While Driving” law that went into effect July 1, 2010.
Since July 1, 2010, enforcing the no texting law has proved to be a challenge for law enforcement. Law enforcement officers have found it difficult to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that a driver is texting as opposed to dialing a number or just talking on the phone. As a result, it is up to drivers to recognize the serious consequences of distracted driving.
Distracted driving is any activity that takes away the driver’s attention from driving safely and can cause a serious car accident. Activities that distract a drivers attention includes texting but also at least the following:
- Sending or receiving a text
- Using a cellphone, smartphone or tablet
- Adjusting the radio/audio
- Eating in the car
- Talking to other passengers in the car
- Looking back at backseat passengers
To emphasize the dangers of distracted driving, statistics provided by the NHTSA show that sending or receiving a text takes a driver’s attention away from the road for an average 4.6 seconds which is the equivalent of driving the length of football field blindfolded. The driver is just as dangerous if not more so than a drunk driver during this time period.
For teens, the consequences of distracted driving is even more severe. The NHTSA further shows that 21% of drivers ages 15-19 that are involved in fatal car crashes are distracted by their cell phones.
Distracted driving is dangerous and the cause of thousands of serious injuries and fatalities each year. If you or your family are injured by a distracted driver, you deserve an experienced personal injury attorney.
To ensure you receive the full recovery your family deserves, you should contact an experienced personal injury attorney in Georgia. Call Georgia’s serious injury attorney, Terance Madden, at 770-978-6711. T. Madden & Associates, P.C.; Turning Injury To Cash. Visit our law firm at our website: www.tmaddenlaw.com.
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