Cell phone use while driving is one of the leading causes of catastrophic crashes. The increasing number of drivers using their phones has led to a significant uptick in distracted driving accidents.
Due to the speed at which cars can move, vehicle collisions are often severe, resulting in considerable injuries, property damage, and death. This blog discusses the dangers of distracted driving and what you can do to avoid them.
Why Is Using a Phone While Driving So Dangerous?
Driving requires focused concentration and full-body coordination, especially when driving a manual vehicle. Texting while driving is a dangerous combination of visual, physical, and cognitive interference that can profoundly impact your road awareness. For drivers who have never been in an accident, it can be easy to underestimate how quickly a collision can happen.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) says that looking at your phone for only five seconds while traveling at 55 mph is equivalent to driving the length of a football field with your eyes closed. However, unlike on a football field, you are surrounded by other cars, unsuspecting passengers, and pedestrians.
Inexperienced or young drivers who are not fully aware of the dangers associated with driving are especially vulnerable to the allure of quickly answering a text or chatting on the phone while driving. Simply drifting slightly into another lane, missing a red light, or failing to merge properly can lead to massive collisions and pile-ups.
What About GPS?
Many people don’t realize the amount of focus it takes to program a GPS using only a touch screen accurately. To precisely tap the correct spot, your eyes must focus entirely on the screen, which removes attention from the road. It is vital to set your GPS before leaving.
In cars with touchscreen controls for music functions, skipping a song or changing a playlist can be particularly difficult without losing focus on the road. You must always select your music before your trip starts, and if you need to make any changes, it is best to find a safe spot to pull over.
It can be tempting to use voice controls, which can be fractionally safer, but remember that even voice controls are a distraction that can take your focus off the task at hand. A simple hands-free phone call is enough to affect your cognitive abilities. In 2023, more than 1.5 million accidents were caused by distracted driving, clearly indicating the risks involved.
Legal Repercussions
In addition to the physical repercussions of vehicle collisions, the driver who caused the accident must also face the legal consequences. If you text while driving and cause property damage or injuries, you may receive fines, license suspensions, and insurance premium increases.
Depending on the severity of the accident, the injured party can file a lawsuit that will hold you responsible for compensating for their medical expenses, property repair, and emotional distress. You may even face criminal charges and potential jail time in some cases should the court decide your actions were particularly negligent or reckless.
How to Reduce the Risks of Distracted Driving
It is vital always to be aware of everything happening around you when operating a vehicle. Any distractions can be fatal, making driving one of the most dangerous activities. However, with proper care and attention, you can minimize the risks and protect yourself and the drivers around you. No matter how many high-tech safety features your car has, nothing is 100% effective.
The most helpful habit is keeping your phone out of reach. If your phone is easily accessible, it can be tempting to check your messages quickly. Keeping your phone in your bag in the back of the car can force you to pull over to reach your phone if absolutely necessary. If you use your phone as a GPS, keep it on a phone mount on the dashboard and turn on the do-not-disturb mode to help you stay focused.
If you are the parent of a new driver, discuss the dangers of distracted driving with them. It’s normal for a teenager to not fully grasp the importance of complete focus, so it’s your job to explain the potential consequences and how they can affect your child’s life. If you have specific experiences with vehicle collisions, explaining how they impacted you may be helpful.
Your Role in Road Safety
Maintaining your focus from point A to B is imperative to prioritize your safety and the well-being of the other road users. You significantly increase your risk of catastrophic crashes by dividing your attention between the road and your phone. If you have been in an accident involving distracted driving, contact HHJ Trial Attorneys.
Schedule your free consultation so we can discuss the details of your case and explain your options. If you decide to file a claim, we will support you throughout to give you the best chance of securing the compensation you deserve.
