Drivers are facing too many distractions to travel safely on the roads today. A distraction can consist of talking, texting, eating, or even changing the radio station. All of these actions can be dangerous to the driver and other vehicles surrounding them on the road. An increased number of car accidents are occurring due to continuous correspondence with other individuals via text messaging cell phones. Below is some important information that can help you avoid the dangers of distracted driving.
Important facts about texting and driving
A recent study conducted by the Texas A&M Transportation Institute revealed a high number of Texans admitting to texting and driving simultaneously. Approximately 3,000 drivers took part in the study and three out of four admitted to talking on their cell phones for partial or entire trips. Two out of four drivers confessed to reading and sending texts while driving.
The Texas Department of Transportation reports that text messaging has accounted for 1.3 million car accidents. It has also been reported that nine people die each day from being distracted behind the wheel. Forty-nine percent of all participants in the study believed texting while driving should become illegal in the entire state of Texas.
Types of distractions that occur on the road
Usually, a distraction falls under three types: visual, cognitive, and manual. Visual distraction occurs any time a driver’s eye is taken off the road. If a driver is not fully reacting to what is taking place in front of them, then it is considered cognitive distraction. Finally, a manual distraction happens when a driver’s hands are removed from the steering wheel while the vehicle is in motion.
The government’s reaction to distracted driving
Only four states in the United States considerate it legal to text while driving, and one of them is Texas. The argument for severe penalties for texting while driving is dying down. However, the debate could gain more attention because the number of fatal car accidents caused by distracted driving is increasing.
Some groups still believe texting while driving isn’t a big deal. These people consider the driver to be lacking in experience behind the wheel if they wreck. However, that argument is losing ground due to the victims from this type of car accident sustaining significant injuries. The majority of people feel their lawmakers have failed to protect the lives and safety of all Texans driving on the road today.
Many cities in Texas have implemented their own bans on texting while driving. Nationally, states have created laws that come with stiff penalties for individuals who have been found guilty of causing a traffic accident due to distracted driving. Unfortunately, many of those accusers are under the age of 20 years old.
No one under the age of eighteen is permitted to text while behind the wheel of a vehicle in the state of Texas. Other stricter driving provisions include permit-holders being prohibited from using a smartphone inside the car during their first six months of driving. School bus operators cannot use a cell phone if children are present inside the vehicle and no cell phone usage is permitted inside a school crossing zone.
What you can do if you have been the victim of distracted driving
If you have been involved in a car accident caused by distracted driving, you may be entitled to an insurance claim. In order to have a successful claim process, it is best to speak with a personal injury attorney. This type of attorney is the most experienced and best prepared to contest a case of this nature. Those who were distracted while driving need to be held accountable for their mistakes. Depending on the severity of your injuries, you can gain assistance for extended medical care, lost wages from time spent away from work, and long-term rehabilitation costs.
If you have been in a car accident, you should visit a doctor or hospital first. Then, if you need the services of a personal injury attorney in the Texas or Oklahoma areas, contact Attorney Dean Boyd. You can call us at (806) 242-3333 or Contact Us by email for information about your free consultation and our services. You can also visit us in person at 4423 SW 45th Ave in Amarillo, Texas or 10623 Quaker Ave #102 in Lubbock, Texas.