Distracted driving is dangerous, and it’s on the rise. More than 5,500 people died in accidents involving distracted drivers in 2009 alone, according to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA). Distractions include texting or talking on a cell phone while driving-which are illegal in California. Other distractions include eating or drinking while driving; adjusting radio stations; putting makeup on; checking GPS navigation systems; reading e-mail messages; applying make-up. These activities require your attention away from the road for long periods of time that can lead to an accident with serious consequences. The best way to avoid becoming a victim of distracted driving is by focusing solely on your surroundings when you’re behind the wheel.
Distracted Driving Can Cause Severe Accidents
Distracted driving is a dangerous activity that can cause severe accidents and even death. According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, crashes resulting from distracted driving claims thousands of lives per year. Just looking at the car accident rate in California will let you know how dangerous it is. From the California Department of Motor Vehicles, in 2010 over 80,000 car accidents were caused by distracted driving. That year there were nearly 6,000 injuries and almost 800 fatalities from distracted driving accidents.
Distracted Driving Kills Innocent Lives
Distracted driving is not just dangerous for the people who are doing it. It can also be extremely dangerous for innocent lives that are on the road. According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, over 1.4 million people are injured each year in car accidents that were caused by distracted driving. In 2010, 3,092 people were killed in accidents that involved distracted driving. Distracted driving can also get you in trouble when it comes to criminal charges. For example, when a driver is distracted by something other than the road, they are not as aware of their surroundings. When an accident happens because someone wasn’t paying attention, law enforcement might consider the incident to be “criminal negligence,” or the behaviour of a reckless individual. In California, if a driver is distracted and causes an accident that results in someone’s death, they may be charged with involuntary manslaughter.
Texting and Driving Is As Dangerous As Drinking and Driving
Another dangerous aspect of distracted driving is that it can be more deadly than drinking and driving. The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration stated that, in 2010, only 8% of the crashes that resulted from distracted driving involved alcohol. However, a study conducted by Carnegie Mellon University found that 23% of the car accidents that involved cell phone use also had some alcohol in the driver’s system. Even though there are laws prohibiting texting and driving, it is becoming more common. The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration stated that, in 2009, 5,500 people were killed in accidents involving distracted driving.
Using Your Phone While Driving is Illegal
Distracted driving is illegal. Even though there are laws prohibiting texting and driving, it is becoming more common. According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, in 2009 nearly 5,500 people were killed in accidents involving distracted driving. In response to the high number of car accidents caused by distracted driving, many states have implemented laws against using a cell phone while driving. In California, texting and driving is illegal as well as talking on a cell phone without using a hands-free device.
Your Text Messages Can Be Used Against You in Court
Even though there are laws prohibiting texting and driving, it is becoming more common. Texting while driving can not only leave you with a fine, but it could also cause a lot of trouble during a car accident. Text messages can be used as evidence against you if you got in an accident and the other person involved thinks that your text messages may have distracted you.
You Can’t Beat Statistics
The phrase “I never thought it would happen to me” is a very common one amongst accident survivors. We all think that we can beat statistics and avoid getting in a car accident. However, even if you are a great driver, you could still get into an accident if another driver is not paying attention. Even the best drivers in the world experience car accidents that result from distracted driving. You can’t beat statistics so you should always drive carefully.
Distracted driving is extremely dangerous and can result in car accidents, injuries, and fatalities. It is important for drivers to be aware of the dangers of distracted driving and stay focused on the road. There are many different types of distractions, from texting and talking on the phone to eating and drinking. Drivers need to be aware of all of the dangers involved in distracted driving in order to avoid accidents.