With the widespread adoption of cell phones in the United States, distracted driving injuries and fatalities have increased markedly — auto accident situations involving cell phones rose by almost 10 percent between 2011 and 2013 alone.
But while nearly 25 percent of car accidents in the U.S. are caused by texting and driving, cell phones are far from the only thing distracting motorists. Distracted driving involves a number of activities, from phone calls to merely talking to a passenger in the front seat — and anyone can be the victim of distracted driving, whether you live in Provo, Utah or in the Midwest.
According to researchers and lawyer experts, drivers are at their best when they are alone in the car. Adding even one more person into the mix increases the risk of an accident by up to 60 percent. With two or more passengers, the risk of an auto accident jumps to more than double that of someone driving alone.
When we engage in conversation with the people around us, we pay less attention to the road — we see less of the road, our reaction time is slowed and we are less likely to notice possible crash situations in time.
Talking on a cell phone is even worse. Drivers who are talking on a cell phone (even hands-free) can miss up to 50 percent of what’s going on around them. A driver who is talking on a cell phone experiences a reduced field of vision, and may miss potential hazards outside of his or her focal point — this behavior can easily cause an auto accident that may later require a lawyer.
Other forms of distracted driving include looking at maps, adjusting the audio system (radio, CD or MP3), using a navigation system to get around Provo, personal grooming and eating and drinking.
Distracted driving is extremely prevalent in the United States, from the East Coast to Provo — but just because your friends are doing it, doesn’t mean you have to. Join the lawyer professionals of Robert J. DeBry & Associates and make the pledge not to drive while distracted.