People who drive while texting or otherwise distracted pose a major threat to roadway safety to people in Georgia and across the country. The rise of the smartphone with its numerous applications, social media services and opportunities for communication has been widely associated with the nationwide rise in driving while distracted. While distracted driving may be common, the results of distracted driving are dangerous and deadly. In 2015, 3,477 people were killed in accidents that involved distracted drivers.
Of course, smartphone use while driving is not the only type of distracted driving: Activities like talking while using a handheld mobile phone, eating and drinking, applying makeup or using the car’s entertainment system can also divert a driver’s attention from the roadways, posing a risk of car accidents and the resulting injuries and property damage. Texting while driving is perhaps the most infamous type of distracted driving because it distracts a driver for approximately 5 seconds at a time; when traveling at 55 miles per hour, this means a driver could travel the length of a football field with their eyes off the road.
Distracted driving fatalities are a stunning statistic, but the number of injuries is equally compelling. In 2015, 391,000 people were injured in motor vehicle crashes due to distracted driving. Some of these injuries were serious and life-changing, leading to permanent disabilities and extensive recovery time. States have attempted to combat the problem with increased legislation and ticketing, but hundreds of thousands of Americans continue to drive distracted.
Distracted driving can lead to dangerous car accidents that cause ongoing pain and suffering. People who have been injured in a crash due to another driver’s dangerous, negligent behavior may consult with a personal injury lawyer to pursue compensation for their damages suffered.
