Distracted Driving Accidents

Distracted drivers are a leading cause of auto accidents. The moment a driver takes his eyes off the road, the driver and everyone in the vicinity are at increased risk for injury, disability and even death.

Why Drivers Are Distracted

According to a recent study by the Network of Employers for Traffic Safety (NETS), the top two driving distractions that cause auto accidents are:

1. Dropping an item on the floor of the car
2. Spilling hot coffee on oneself

Diverting your attention from the road to change a radio station or adjust climate controls are other leading causes of distracted driving auto accidents. The study also cited these more unusual causes of driver distraction:

• Reading the newspaper
• Applying makeup
• Shaving
• Changing clothes

No wonder driver distraction is a leading cause of auto accidents.

Mark Edwards, Director of Traffic Safety at the American Automobile Association stated, "…somewhere between 25-50 percent of all motor vehicle crashes in this country really have driver distraction as their root cause."

Csaba Csere, editor of Car and Driver magazine offers this sound advice "...the most important safety factor is a competent driver paying attention to the task behind the wheel. Unfortunately, we're always going to be distracted by certain things, and the key is picking your spots. Don't try to dial your cell phone when you're on an icy road. Don't tune the radio when you're negotiating traffic in a complicated intersection."

Distracted Driving Accidents and Cell Phone Usage

Driving while talking or texting on a cell phone is a top cause of distracted driving auto accidents. A survey completed by Prevention magazine states that, of the 100 million cell phone subscribers, more than 85 percent admit to regularly chatting on their cell phones while operating a motor vehicle.  Other studies indicate drivers who drive and chat are four times more likely to be involved in an auto accident.

While advanced cell phone technologies offer solutions to the driving and talking dilemma, this bad habit continues. Many states are working to enact laws which make it illegal to talk or text while driving. The $40-billion-a-year cell-phone industry lobbies to block these laws. Global Positioning Systems (GPS) installed in today’s cars create additional distractions and are increasingly implicated in auto accidents.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration advises Americans to avoid cell phone or GPS usage while driving. Applying mascara while changing lanes on the highway, or reading a text message in traffic, are sure ways to involve oneself in a potentially lethal auto accident.

If a distracted driver has caused you pain and suffering, please visit the website of The Cochran Law Firm, America’s largest personal injury firm.