Distracted Drivers
There is no denying it: distracted drivers cause auto accidents. The moment you take your eyes off the road, you increase the risk for injury, disability and even death for yourself, your passengers, other drivers, and pedestrians.
At The Cochran Firm, we understand the complexities of prosecuting distracted drivers for reckless injury and loss of life. Our attorneys are highly skilled in investigating your distracted driving accidents and prosecuting those responsible.
Common Driver Distractions
A Network of Employers for Traffic Safety (NETS) study highlights the two most common driving driver distractions:
- Dropping an item on the car floor
- Spilling hot coffee on oneself
Next in line are changing radio stations, adjusting climate controls and other, more unusual things people do while driving, such as:
- Reading the newspaper
- Applying makeup
- Shaving
- Changing clothes
- Having a heated argument
- Using a voice controlled electronic device
It is not difficult to understand how driver distraction can lead to auto accidents.
Cell Phone Use
Driving and Cell Phones Don’t Mix
There is another popular habit causing driver distraction and auto accidents. Talking or texting on a cell phone puts drivers at a four times higher risk of injury and death by auto accident, according to a study conducted by Prevention magazine. In addition to cell phone usage while driving, the Global Positioning System (GPS) can create unnecessary distractions, despite its many useful features.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration advises avoiding cell phone or GPS usage while driving a vehicle. Certainly, actions such as shaving or reading a newspaper should be avoided at all costs while operating a motor vehicle to prevent a potentially deadly auto accident.
Car and Driver magazine editor Csaba Csere offers intelligent guidance, “…the most important safety factor is a competent driver paying attention to the task behind the wheel. Unfortunately, we’re always going to be distracted by certain things, and the key is picking your spots. Don’t try to dial your cell phone when you’re on an icy road. Don’t tune the radio when you’re negotiating traffic in a complicated intersection.”
If you or a loved one has been involved in a distracted driver auto accident, please contact the nationwide offices of The Cochran Firm; our personal injury attorneys have successfully handled thousands of auto accident cases over the past several years.