Driving While Distracted is any non-driving activity a person engages in that has the potential to distract him or her from the primary task of driving and increase the risk of crashing.
Driving distractions may include:
- Dialing or speaking on a cell phone
- Texting
- Reading
- Applying Makeup
- Eating, drinking or smoking
- Tending to children or pets
- Adjusting vehicle controls such as radio, CD/DVD player, air conditioner, etc.
What you should know:
- The International Association for the Wireless Telecommunication Industry [CTIA-The Wireless Association] reports that in 2010 there were 302,859,674 (million) cellular subscriber connections in the United States.
- Approximately 85% of those subscribers use their cell phones wile driving.
- At any given moment of any day, there are approximately 500,000 drivers of passenger vehicles using hand held cell phone devices.
- Approximately 6,00 people are killed and 500,000 injured annually because someone is texting, emailing or talking on a mobile phone or otherwise distracted while driving.
- The age group with the greatest proportion of distracted drivers is the "under-20" age group.. (Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administrator)
- Of those drivers involved in fatal crashes who were reportedly distracted, the "30-to 39-year-olds" had the highest proportion of cell phone involvement. (Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administrator)
- Using a cell phone while driving, whether it's hand-held or hands-free, delays a driver's reactions as much as having a blood alcohol concentration at the legal limit of .08 percent. (Source University of Utah)
If you or someone you love has been seriously injured or killed in a car accident caused by distracted driving, you should consult with an experienced civil trial attorney about your case. The assistance of an experienced civil trial attorney is often critical to establishing the distracted driver’s liability, which is an important factor in pursuing compensation for medical bills, lost wages, wrongful death, and other losses.