Many people in North Carolina are fully aware of the dangers of distracted driving. Increased law enforcement activity and public awareness campaigns have highlighted the fact that thousands of serious or even deadly car accidents are caused every year by people whose minds are not on the road in front of them. Distracted driving has emerged as a major hazard since smartphones have become nearly ubiquitous. When roads are slow, traffic is heavy or red lights are long, people may be tempted to reach over to their mobile devices for interaction or entertainment.
However, the results of that choice can be devastating. Texting while driving is so dangerous because people are not only not paying attention to the road ahead, but they’re also taking their hands off the wheel as well as their eyes off the road. While driving 55 miles per hour on the highway, individuals may travel the length of a football field without even watching the road ahead. Any unexpected stops or obstacles could lead to a catastrophic motor vehicle collision. Distracted driving isn’t limited to texting, of course. People who responded to one survey on the topic reported being distracted by group chats on messenger applications, streaming videos like online TV shows or social media posts while behind the wheel.
Nearly half the participants in the same study identified distracted driving as the main risk to roadway safety. Still, these same respondents admitted to spending approximately 13 minutes every day on their mobile devices while driving. Even when they harshly judged other drivers, they believed that they could still drive safely while distracted.
Distracted driving crashes can cause permanent disabilities and severe injuries. Those who have been injured in a car accident because of another person’s negligence can work with a personal injury attorney to seek compensation for their damages.