6 Distracted Driving Facts for Distracted Driving Awareness Mo. (Pt. 2)

Continuing from 6 Distracted Driving Facts for Distracted Driving Awareness Mo. (Pt. 1), here are some more important facts that the National Safety Council has been highlighting for April 2014 to bring awareness to the dangers of distracted driving.

Fact 3: Distracted driving contributes to more than 26% of all traffic accidents.

As the NSC reports, more than 1 in every 4 motor vehicle accidents that occurs each year in the U.S. is caused by a distracted driver. While distractions that commonly play a role in causing these accidents can include eating while driving or using GPS while driving, increasingly, drivers’ use of cellphones and hands-free devices while driving is the primary factor contributing to distracted driving-related car accidents.

In fact, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has estimated that as many as 800,000 American motorists who are behind the wheels of vehicles during the daytime are using their cellphones and hands-free devices while driving. What this boils down to is the fact that thousands of accidents that take place each year in the U.S. could be prevented if drivers would just put down their mobile devices and stay focused on the task of driving.

Fact 4: Teens are the most likely drivers to be distracted.

Of all motorists, teen drivers who lack experience are those who are the most likely to be distracted while behind the wheel of vehicles. In some cases, this distraction can come in the form of other teen passengers in cars with these teen drivers. In fact, the NHTSA has reported (as part of its 5 to Drive campaign) that teen drivers are 2.5 times more likely to be distracted and drive recklessly when they have even one other teenager in the car with them. This risk increases as the number of teens in the vehicle with a teenager driver increases.

Additionally, teen drivers are most likely to be using their cellphones while driving. According to the NSC and the NHTSA:

• About 25 percent of all teen drivers send and/or read at least one text every time they drive.
• Approximately 13 percent of teen drivers were talking on their cellphones and/or texting immediately prior to getting into car accidents.
• Teen drivers who text while driving reportedly spend at least 10 percent of their driving time outside of their lane of traffic.

The upcoming third part of this blog will spotlight some final important facts about distracted driving that all motorists should be aware of before they decide to pick up their cellphones when driving – be sure to check it out!

Mount Vernon Car Accident Lawyers at the Law Firm of Hassakis & Hassakis, P.C.

Have you been hit by a distracted driver? If so, the Mount Vernon car accident lawyers at the law firm of Hassakis & Hassakis, P.C. are ready to fight for you. Since 1950, our experienced attorneys have been focusing on our clients’ needs and doing everything we can to help them get the maximum possible compensation for their losses and injuries.

We take pride in tailoring our legal representation to specifically meet our clients’ needs and in expertly guiding them through each stage of the complex the legal process. While our attorneys are aggressive and effective litigators both inside and outside of the courtroom, we are also counselors that can provide our clients with helpful legal advice regarding their best options.

If you have been injured in a distracted driving-related accident or in any type of motor vehicle accident, contact us by calling (888) 896-9381 or by emailing us using the form at the upper right-hand side of the page. We can provide you with a free, thorough assessment of your case, along with professional advice regarding the best manner in which to move forward.