Texting and Driving

Distracted driving has always been a primary cause of automobile accidents. Whether drivers are playing with a radio, talking to passengers, or looking at GPS, distracted driving increases danger for everyone on the road. Over the last decade or so, smart phones have changed the way people interact around the world. Smart phones offer features of computers, as they allow users to send emails, search the Internet, and of course, send text messages. Although text messages are a part of daily functioning for most Americans, texting has contributed to staggering statistics of automobile accidents, caused from distracted driving. According to DMV.org, here are some frightening texting and driving statistics:

 

  1. 26% of auto accidents in 2014 involved cell phone use
  2. A minimum of 9 fatalities occur every day, due to distracted driving
  3. Over 1,000 people are injured every day due to distracted driving
  4. In 2015, 42% of teens admitted admitted to texting while driving – and driving is the leading cause of death for teenagers

 

Another staggering statistic is that out of 2.5 million people involved in auto accidents each year, 1.6 million involve a cell phone. This equates to 64% of auto accidents in the U.S., which we all must work to significantly reduce. Over recent years, texting has become the main form of communication, especially across Millennials. Due to the increased usage of texting while driving, most states within the U.S. have passed laws to keep up with the increase of texting and driving. Penalties for texting while driving include hefty fines, license suspension, increases in auto insurance rates, and prison time. When feeling tempted to send a text while driving, ask yourself if one text is worth harming another person, losing your license, and/or prison time.

 

Different companies have also introduced campaigns to eliminate texting while driving. The cellular provider, AT&T, launched a campaign called “It Can Wait”, introducing new ways to prevent texting while driving. If you are tempted to text and drive, you can block calls from coming in. As a parent, you can reward your teen for reaching safe driving milestones.

 

The takeaway message is to never text and drive. If you feel tempted to do so, silence your phone and put it away while driving. Your cell phone has additional settings to temporarily disable notifications, such as the “Do Not Disturb” setting. Other cell phone providers have activated the “Do Not Disturb” while driving feature, which is automatically activated as it senses moving in a vehicle. As a parent, teach your teenager about the devastating damages texting and driving can cause. If you become involved in an auto accident, contact and hire a personal injury attorney to represent you in the court of law.

 

If you or someone you know has been injured in a car crash or truck accident and are in need of an accident attorney in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, Naples, Ocala, Orlando, Tampa, Gainesville, Jacksonville, Tallahassee, Ft. Myers or any other city in Florida –remember after 911, call 411! 1-800-411-PAIN can put you in touch with an experienced, aggressive network attorney who will fight for your rights and get the maximum compensation you deserve. Don’t forget to follow 411 PAIN on Twitter (@411PAIN), keep up with the conversation at #411PAIN and check out the 411 PAIN event gallery 411painevents.com!