With the popularity of smartphones, tablets, and other electronic devices, it is no wonder we have seen an increase in car accidents caused by distracted drivers. Even though most new phones come with voice-controlled technologies aimed at preventing distraction, a recent study conducted at the University of Utah concluded that many of these new technologies are more distracting than actually talking on the phone. While voice-to-text technology does allow the driver to send and receive messages and email without using his or her hands, the activity was actually shown to cognitively impair drivers to the point that they were unable to recognize hazards, even when they were looking directly at them.
Unfortunately, more than nine people are killed in the United States every single day and over 1,150 are injured in crashes that occur because of a distracted driver. Sure, distraction has always been a part of driving and always will be, but this doesn’t mean that it is any less of a serious issue that we should all be aware of. As Oklahoma car accident attorneys, we have worked our fair share of cases involving distracted drivers. We have seen the devastation these types of accidents can cause, and we are prepared to do everything in our power to ensure justice is served. If you or a loved one has been involved in a car accident where a distracted driver is at-fault, contact an attorney from AMA Law today.
Distracted Driving Stats
Distracted driving occurs when the driver of a vehicle is engaging in another activity that takes their attention away from driving. Whether talking on the phone, texting, messing with the radio, or engaging in conversation with a passenger, distraction can come in many different shapes and forms. Regardless of what the distraction is, the likelihood of an accident taking place is far greater when the driver’s attention is somewhere other than the road.
It is certainly not news that car crashes are the leading cause of death for Americans between the ages of 15 and 19, but did you know that 70 percent of those killed in crashes are people other than the driver? Approximately 40 percent of the time, the victims of a motor vehicle accident are in another car, riding their bicycle, or pedestrians. This highlights the growing problem of distracted driving, especially amongst teenagers in the U.S. Now, let’s take a little bit of a deeper look into distracted driving.
There are three main types of distraction:
- Visual – When the driver takes his or her eyes off the road
- Manual – When the driver takes his or her hands off the wheel completely
- Cognitive – When the driver’s mind is somewhere other than the road
As previously mentioned, distracted driving can be anything from talking on the phone or eating to changing the radio station, and using in-vehicle technologies, such as GPS systems. While all of these types of distraction pose serious risks, texting is perhaps the most dangerous because it falls into all three categories of distraction.
How Big of a Problem is Distracted Driving?
In recent years, the number of people killed in car accidents involving a distracted driver has increased about 10 percent. In 2014, approximately one in five crashes occurred in which someone was injured as a result of distracted driving. On average, more than 171 billion text messages are sent or received on a monthly basis. This is a huge number that highlights how texting has changed the way in which we interact with one another. If you or a loved one has been involved in a car crash with a distracted driver, contact AMA Law today. Our Oklahoma car accident attorneys will investigate your case and do everything in our power to ensure justice is served and you receive the compensation you deserve.