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Distracted Driving 411

Written by Jay M. Kelley III in Accident & Injury, Automobile, Car Accident, Firm News, In the news on August 6, 2020

What is Distracted Driving?

Distracted driving is any action that takes a driver’s attention away from driving. This includes talking on your phone, texting, eating, chatting with passengers in your car and/or adjusting your radio. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) says that “…any non-driving activity you engage in is a potential distraction and increases your risk of crashing.”

Types of Distractions

EndDD.org categorizes distractions into three main types: manual, visual and cognitive. Texting involves all three types.

Three types of distracted driving

Image courtesy of EndDD.org

  • Manual distractions are those where you move your hands off the wheel.
  • Visual distractions are those where you take your eyes off the road.
  • A cognitive distraction is when you’re mind is not focused on driving.

Cell Phone Use

  • Sending or reading a text takes your eyes off the road for five seconds. At 55 mph, that’s the same as driving the length of an entire football field with your eyes closed.
  • Motorists are as impaired when they drive and talk on a cell phone as they are when they drive intoxicated.
  • Cell phone users are 5.36 times more likely to get into an accident than undistracted drivers.
  • Text messaging increases the risk of a crash or near-crash by 23 times.

Consequences

distracted driving

Distracted driving has serious consequences.

  • In 2018, 2,841 people were killed in motor vehicle crashes involving distracted drivers. Among those killed:
    • 1,730 drivers
    • 605 passengers
    • 400 pedestrians
    • 77 bicyclists

Our Ohio car accident attorneys are dedicated to providing victims with superior legal care. Call 1-800-ELK-OHIO or contact us here.

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Jay M. Kelly III

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Meet Jay M. Kelley III, a top medical malpractice attorney in Ohio with over 25 years of experience and $200 million in verdicts and settlements. He leads Elk + Elk’s litigation strategy in state and federal courts and has a unique background as a former felony prosecutor and hospital defense lawyer. Jay specializes in complex cases, including birth injuries and wrongful death, and is recognized by Best Lawyers and ranked among the Super Lawyers Top 10 in Ohio.

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