It’s no secret that distracted driving has become a nationwide epidemic. Texting has become synonymous with distracted driving, but it’s important to note that texting isn’t the only type of distraction that can occur behind the wheel. Any task that takes your visual, manual or cognitive attention away from the road is a distraction. This can even include talking to additional passengers in the car. Drivers should also note that hands-free devices offer a false sense of security and haven’t been shown to be substantially safer than handheld devices. Listed below are some common forms of distracted driving.
Common Types of Distracted Driving
- Texting
- Talking on the phone
- Personal grooming
- Checking emails
- Manipulating GPS systems
- Cruising social media
- Drinking and eating
- Browsing the web
- Taking selfies or videos
Distracted Driving by The Numbers
- In 2013, 3,154 people were killed in crashes involving distracted drivers.
- Approximately 424,000 people were injured in distracted driving crashes in 2013.
- As of December 2013, 153.3 billion text messages were sent in the U.S. every month.
- At any given daylight moment across the nation, approximately 660,000 drivers are using cell phones or other electronic devices behind the wheel.
- Drivers in their 20s make up 27 percent of the distracted drivers in fatal crashes.
What About Hands-Free Devices?
If you’ve made the switch to Bluetooth or some other type of hands-free device behind the wheel, you might be disappointed to find out that hands-free devices haven’t been shown to be safer than manipulating handheld devices. In fact, the cognitive distraction alone is enough to make driving unsafe. According to the National Safety Council, hands-free devices also give users a false sense of security. While you might feel like you’re making a safe choice, you’re still engaging in dangerous and distracted behaviors behind the wheel.
If you have been injured or if you have lost a loved one in a distracted driving accident in Asheville or in any of the surrounding communities, contact the skilled team at Davis Law Group, P.A. at 888-773-8388 for an immediate free consultation.