Distracted Driving Awareness Month
While the ability to multi-task is a valued trait, it can be dangerous and potentially fatal while behind the wheel. In terms of car accidents and injuries, distracted driving continues to be a major problem on the nation’s roads and highways, despite increases in public awareness and increased laws prohibiting the use of cellphones and texting. The National Safety Council, in conjunction with state and national agencies, has designated April as Distracted Driving Awareness Month. The goal is to educate people regarding the dangers, while continuing to cast light on one of the most dangerous and deadly types of driving behavior.
Distracted Driving Statistics
According to statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), eight people are killed and more than 1,000 suffer serious injuries each day in the United States as the result of distracted driving. Roughly one in five accidents can be linked to engaging in other activities while behind the wheel, and drivers under the age of 20 are particularly affected, having the highest proportion of fatal distracted driving accidents. These types of accident can occur anytime your attention is diverted from the road in front of you, such as when texting, changing radio stations, eating or drinking, or even engaging in conversation with passengers. The CDC lists the following as the three main types of distractions:
- Visual, which includes activities that cause you to take your eyes off the road;
- Manual, which includes activities causing you to remove your hands from the wheel;
- Cognitive, which is any activity that diverts your mind and attention from road conditions and traffic patterns which may lie ahead.
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Preventing Distracted Driving Accidents
The National Safety Council (NSC) has designated the month of April as Distracted Driving Prevention Month, and offers a variety of tools and resources to help raise awareness to the problem. They offer posters, videos, and infographics to share on social media, as well as a focused driver challenge in which drivers pledge to not engage in potentially deadly distracted driving behaviors. To take the pledge, drivers agree not to engage in the following:
- Using cell phones, either by hand or via hands free devices.
- Texting or sending Snapchats to others.
- Using vehicle voice to text systems.
- Updating social media accounts, or checking email.
Even inputting destinations into GPS systems diverts your attention long enough to cause an accident. According to the CDC, when going at 55 miles per hour a single distraction, such as texting or changing a radio station, can divert your attention long enough to equal the entire length of a football field.
Contact Us Today
If you or someone you care about has been injured in an accident with a distracted driver, contact Anastopoulo Law Firm. Our experienced South Carolina accident attorneys understand the serious injuries that can result from these types of accidents, and can assist you in getting the compensation you need to recover.
Call or text 803-222-2222 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form