NHTSA Launches Distracted Driving Education Campaign

Charlotte Injury Lawyer Matt Arnold answers the question: “Should I give a recorded statement to the at-fault driver’s insurance company?”

 

Distracted driving is one of the most common causes of accidents in the United States. While the safety of vehicles has been improving year after year, the number of accidents has not been declining. Accidents caused by distracted driving have been on the rise and continue to be a concern. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration launched a campaign to educate the public about the perils of distracted driving. The NHTSA campaign is called Stop the Texts, Stop the Wrecks.

 

What is Distracted Driving?

Distracted driving is anything that you do while behind the wheel that can take your mind off of driving, your hands off the wheel, or your eyes off the road. Any number of activities and actions can cause a distraction. It only takes a few seconds of not paying attention to result in a crash. If you are traveling fast, the resulting accident could cause serious injuries or fatalities to yourself and others. Any type of distraction that prevents you from properly operating a motor vehicle can have serious consequences.

 

Examples of Distracted Driving

Any activity that takes your attention away from driving is considered distracted driving. The most common form of distracted driving is the use of a cell phone for texting. The reason texting is such a serious form of distracted driving is that it takes your eyes off the road, your hands off the wheel, and your mind off of driving at the same time. Looking away from the road for just a few seconds, the time it takes to read a text can result in an accident.

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A study by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (VTTI) texting or reading a text can take the driver’s eyes off the road for an average of 4.6 seconds. When driving at a speed of 55 mph, you will travel the equivalent of a football field without seeing the road. Some other distractions are applying makeup, changing the radio station, interacting with kids or other passengers, eating, and drinking, to name just a few.

 

Consequences of Distracted Driving

Distracted driving causes or contributes to many accidents. According to the NHTSA, texting while driving is the most common type of distracted driving and it occurs more frequently among younger drivers. Nine people per day are killed in the United States due to distracted driving.

 

In addition to the increased incidence of serious accidents, distracted driving is also illegal. For example, North Carolina has a ban on texting while driving. It is unlawful for someone to drive while using a cell phone to text or email. The law prohibits the use of phones while driving except in hands-free mode. In North Carolina, the negligent driver who caused the accident is responsible for all the damages they caused. Damages may include medical expenses, lost wages, money for pain and suffering, and more.

 

Distracted driving can cause accidents. When it does, the distracted driver is likely negligent and responsible for any damages as a result of the accident. Call (704) 370-2828 to receive a video, phone or in-person consultation with our lawyers to explore your legal options or fill out our contact form. Now taking cases throughout North Carolina with offices in Uptown Charlotte, Mooresville and Monroe.

 

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The skilled personal injury attorneys at Arnold & Smith, PLLC are dedicated to maximizing the financial recovery and obtaining justice for every personal injury client injured by another party’s negligence. The issues our personal injury clients may be facing include, but are not limited to, slip and fall injuries, wrongful death, product liability, catastrophic injuries, dog bite claims, car and truck accident injuries, motorcycle injuries, traumatic brain injury (TBI), nursing home negligence, spinal cord injury, boating accidents, and defective medical device injury. Our personal injury attorneys understand the devastating impact such an injury can have on a person’s life, and that the effects so often go beyond physical pain and suffering. The personal injury attorneys at Arnold & Smith, PLLC are dedicated to helping clients determine the strength of their claims, and to aggressively pursuing the means necessary to achieve the best possible end result for each client’s particular situation.

 

Source:

Stop Texts Stop Wrecks

Distracted Driving | Transportation Safety | Injury Center | CDC

G.S. 20-137.4A (ncleg.net)

 

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