No, Distracted Driving Is Not Just a Trucker Problem
Discover what distracted driving is and the alarming problems caused by this behavior, and then follow our tips to prevent a crash from inattentive driving. As accident attorneys, we understand how truckers who text and drive cause problems on roadways, but we also know the dangers inattentive passenger vehicle drivers pose. Follow along as we examine this issue and do our part to help you say, “no” to distracted driving and “yes” to safer habits behind the wheel.
The Problem
In 2022, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration* distracted driving accounted for 3,308 deaths and an estimated additional 290,000 injuries in the United States. In 2020, tractor-trailers were involved in 9 percent of the crashes causing fatalities, but accounted for only 5 percent of the vehicles on the road. So, while texting and driving and similar behavior are certainly problems for truckers, distractions are also problems for the average driver.
What Is Distracted Driving?
Distracted driving is defined as any activity or event that takes a driver’s attention away from the task of operating an automobile or truck. Some examples of distracted driving are texting or talking on a cell phone, using a navigation system, eating, or looking at an object or sign on the side of the road. There are three main types of distraction:
- Visual – taking your eyes off the road
- Manual – taking your hands off the wheel
- Cognitive – taking your mind off driving
The Cost of Distracted Driving
In 2019 (the most recent year for which cost data is available), the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimated that the economic cost of distracted driving in the U.S. was $98 billion. When quality of life factors such as pain and suffering and disability are considered, the total value of the societal harm from distracted driving skyrockets to $395 billion.
What Can We Do About It?
As personal injury attorneys, we see our fair share of cases that involve accidents that could have been avoided if distractions were eliminated. To help you improve your safety habits behind the wheel, we’re offering five tips to prevent collisions due to inattentive driving:
Tip No. 1: Focus on the Road in Front of You
When driving, focus on the road in front of you and what the traffic is doing. Do not allow yourself to be distracted by something on the side of the road such as a billboard, building, or people. Anything taking your attention off the road in front of you can be dangerous.
Tip No. 2: Don’t Text and Drive
Other than being drunk or fatigued behind the wheel, texting while driving is probably the most dangerous thing you can do. That’s why North Carolina distracted driving laws forbid this activity. Texting takes your eyes off the road, one of your hands off the wheel and your mind off driving. One study found that texting while driving increases your chances of having a wreck (or a near-miss) by 23 times. This same study found that a driver texting spends about five seconds looking at their phone instead of at the road. Driving for five seconds at 55 mph with your eyes off the road is the equivalent of driving the length of a football field with your eyes closed. Federal regulations make it illegal for truck drivers to even use a cell phone while driving (other than answering or placing a call with one touch), which helps curb the texting and driving problem. And most states have made it illegal for any driver to text and drive. So stay safe and stay legal—don’t text and drive!
Tip No. 3: Don’t Eat or Drink and Drive
Many of us live hectic lives where we are often tempted to buy food and eat it on the road. We may not realize that this can be very dangerous. Think about it – the mere act of eating food requires one hand to be off the wheel. Also, at some point, most people will look down to reach for that last French fry or cookie and take their eyes off the road. If anything spills, that almost certainly will distract you and can even cause you to swerve or leave your lane. No meal is so important that it’s worth the consequences of distracted driving. A recent study found that eating while driving was more of a hazard than talking (not texting) on a cell phone. So better to take a little time to eat in the restaurant or parking lot—it’s probably better for your digestion too!
Tip No. 4: Don’t Input Data Into GPS Devices and Drive
Most people now use cell phone GPS apps on almost a daily basis. These apps are certainly safer than looking at a map while driving but they still can be dangerous if people input location data into their cell phone while driving. As with the other tips, the hazard here is taking your eyes off the road. Punching in an address is the equivalent of texting while driving. You have one hand off the wheel, you are looking down at your cell phone, and you are thinking about something other than the road. Take the time to input the address information before you start your trip, and if your destination changes while you are driving, safely pull over and input the new data—it just may save your life or someone else’s.
Miller Law Group Has the Expertise You Need
If you or a loved one was hurt by the distracted driver of a car or a commercial truck, contact the legal team at Miller Law Group. We are experts in investigating motor vehicle collisions and understand North Carolina distracted driving laws. We routinely obtain cell phone records from defendants that show they were “on their phones” at the time of the crash. If we are able to prove that a defendant driver was inattentive at the time of the crash, an insurance company will usually pay more in settlement or a jury will compensate the injured person more if the case goes to trial. If a trucker caused the accident while texting and driving, the insurance company will likely cause you problems to deter your claim. Whatever the cause, you deserve to recover from crashes with distracted drivers, and our accident and injury lawyers are here to help.
*All statistics and references to studies appeared in articles published by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
