Distracted driving accidents are all too common these days, and part of the reason is that people just don’t understand the problem. For instance, did you know that thousands of people die in these accidents every year? They’re by no means a minor problem.
To help paint the picture a bit better, here are five things you must know:
- Distractions last even after the activity ends. Mentally, you’re still thinking about what you were doing, rather than driving. For instance, a study discovered that people who used hands-free devices with voice commands were still distracted, even after they finished giving commands, for about 27 seconds.
- Hundreds of thousands of distracted drivers are on the road at any given second, all across America. One study claimed there were 660,000 who were distracted by electronic devices alone.
- It goes well beyond cellphone use. Eating and drinking behind the wheel is a huge issue, and 86 percent of drivers in one poll admitted that they had done so.
- Even your mood can be a serious distraction. People who are feeling overly emotional — sad or angry, in many cases — often do not pay attention to the road.
- Parents are among the most distracted drivers when they have their children in the car with them. One study looked at simple 16-minute trips in the car and found that parents did not look at the road for a stunning 202 seconds each trip — 3 minutes and 22 seconds, on average.
Have you been hit by a distracted driver? Make sure you fully understand all of your legal rights. Contact an Easton car accident injury lawyer to learn more.
