New York Distracted Driving Car Accidents – Dangers and Statistics

Why Distracted Driving is So Dangerous

Distracted driving has been a prominent issue in recent years. Not that distracted driving is a new concept, but with the advancement of technology, there’s more distraction out there. For instance, the practice of texting and driving has brought the issue to light in nearly every legislative assembly in the country. This is because texting and driving causes so many auto accidents.

So why is distracted driving so dangerous? Consider the following reasons:

• Cognitive distraction – The main issue associated with distracted driving accidents is delayed response time to situations and conditions on the road. This is especially true when traveling at a high rate of speed. Any action that takes the driver’s mind off the cognitive decision-making skills required when driving is at risk of causing an accident. Even something as simple as listening to the radio can be problematic.
• Visual distraction – Anything that makes a driver look away from the road could cause an accident. Using a mobile device is obviously at the top of the list, but many other things can cause a driver to look away. Some of these include disciplining a child, adjusting settings in the vehicle, eating food, looking at a passenger, or changing the radio station.
• Manual distraction – A driver must have both hands available to control their vehicle when driving. This is one of the reasons holding a mobile device compromises a driver’s ability to operate correctly. This also includes holding a cup of coffee or hamburger. And when the hands are busy, the brain is too. This means a manual distraction can also cause a cognitive distraction.

Any activity that diverts attention from driving is considered distracted driving. A person cannot drive safely unless they give driving their full attention. Any non-driving activity a person engages in has the potential to cause a crash.

Distracted Driving Statistics

Countless research has been done on distracted driving. Surveys and studies have been conducted to understand the risks and determine how to prevent distracted driving accidents. Educating ourselves on the issues and risks can help prevent these accidents.

Some current distracted driving accident statistics include:

• 42% of high school-aged students across the U.S. admitted that they text or email while driving
• Teen drivers are 4x more likely than adults to get into car accidents while using their phone
• According to the CDC, distracted driving claims eight lives per day — approximately 3,500 per year
• NHTSA estimates that 20% of injuries occurring in car accident crashes involve distracted driving
• 36.4% of drivers agree that using a mobile device hinders your ability to drive, yet 36% admit to using their cell phone while driving

Car Accident Lawyer NY

If you were involved in an auto accident due to another driver’s negligence, contact Apicella & Schlesinger Attorneys at Law. Proving distracted driving in a car accident case is challenging and complex. It requires the understanding and skill of experienced car accident lawyers.

At Apicella & Schlesinger Attorneys at Law, we understand how to conduct a thorough investigation. We are passionate about seeking all available compensation to help people deal with medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages. Contact us to schedule a free consultation.