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.

• 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

• 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.