Driving while distracted is a complex phenomenon, and there are a varied number of distractions that can affect a motorist’s ability to drive safely and avoid car accidents. However, cell phone use behind the wheel continues to remain the number one factor causing distracted driving accidents.
That information comes from a new study released by the Insurance Information Institute. The study report titled Distracted Driving: State of the Risk underscores the fact that distracted driving as a car accident factor has become even more prominent since the pandemic. According to the report, there has been a significant 20% increase in distracted driving in the United States between February 2020 and February 2022. Even that might be a much lower figure than reality as distracted driving remains widely under- reported. It is still very challenging for law enforcement officers in many states to pull over drivers who are distracted by their cell phones, and very often, these actions go undetected. The report estimates that even a 10% increase in distracted driving kills more than 420 people, and results in more than $4 billion dollars in damages every year.
The Insurance Information Institute says it has also found a significant increase in the amount of time that motorists spend on their cell phones while actually in motion. While cell phone use and texting continue to be the primary distracted driving behaviors, many motorists are also spending a lot of their time browsing the internet while driving. They are also reading and answering emails while at the wheel. Other distracting activities include taking selfies while driving.
Apart from distractions from cell phone use, drivers may also be distracted by their GPS systems, in-car entertainment systems and other in-car technologies while driving. Non- technological distractions include snacking and applying makeup while driving. It is especially worrying to know that neither of these tasks are considered unacceptable by many drivers.
Distractions while driving can include not just visual distractions when a motorist’s eyes are away from the road, but also manual distractions when his or her hands are off the steering wheel. These are two of the most dangerous activities you could perform while at the wheel. However, drivers may also be distracted when they are not focused on the task of driving. In other words, cognitive distractions which allow a motorist to take his mind away from the task of driving can also be equally dangerous.
The Atlanta car accident attorneys at Katz Personal Injury Lawyers are dedicated to the representation of persons who have suffered injuries in car accidents in the metro Atlanta region and across the state of Georgia. If you or a loved one have suffered injuries in a car accident, talk to a lawyer at our firm and discuss your legal options for a claim for damages. You may qualify for damages that include medical costs, lost income and other forms of damages. Talk to an attorney at our firm and discuss your case. Initial consultations are free.