Commit to Distraction-Free Driving for Distracted Driving Awareness Month

Distracted driving is responsible for hundreds of thousands of car accident injuries and deaths nationwide. Although being distracted while driving has always been a problem to an extent, it has become a more serious safety issue since the advancement of cell phones and smart phones. April, as Distracted Driving Awareness Month, is the perfect opportunity to recognize the dangers of distracted driving and to make a commitment to stay focused when on the road.  

Types of Distraction

There are three main types of distraction according to Distraction.gov: Manual, Cognitive, and Visual. Manual refers to distractions that take the driver’s hands off the wheel; cognitive refers to any distraction that takes the driver’s mind off of driving; and visual refers to distractions that take the driver’s eyes off of the road. Such distractions include, but are not limited to:

• Grooming;
• Eating and/or drinking;
• Reading (even a map);
• Using a navigation system (in the car or on a phone);
• Texting;
• Using a cell phone or smart phone;
• Adjusting the CD player, MP3 player, or radio; and/or
• Talking to other vehicle occupants.

Texting is one of the most dangerous things a driver can do as it combines every form of distraction.  

Distracted Driving Statistics

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 5,474 people were killed and 448,000 were injured in distracted driving-related crashes in 2009. Of the fatal crashes, 994 involved reports of cell phone use. Furthermore, according to Monash University, “drivers who use hand-held devices are [four] times more likely to get into crashes serious enough to injure themselves.”  

When to Call a Massachusetts Car Crash Attorney

When a driver gets behind the wheel, they have a responsibility to focus their attention on the task at hand. Distraction is a choice and drivers who choose to text, eat, or otherwise distract themselves from driving endanger the lives of every other person on the road.

If you or a loved one has suffered injury as the result of a distracted driver, the dedicated auto accident lawyers in Boston at the Kiley Law Group can help you hold the at-fault driver liable for your losses. To learn more about obtaining the financial compensation you deserve, call us today for a free legal consultation at (888) 208-1695.