Texting And Driving

Texting and Driving

Texting behind the wheel has become an epidemic in Jackson and across the nation. Although the word is out about this dangerous form of distracted behavior, drivers are still texting on the road. It seems like we hear about another distracted driving tragedy on the news every day. What will it take to get drivers to put their phones down? The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has a variety of materials to raise awareness about the dangers of distracted driving and what you can do to help.

Texting and Driving Facts

  • In 2012, an estimated 421,000 people were injured in distracted driving crashes.
  • 3,328 people were killed in distracted driving crashes in 2012.
  • As of December 2013, 153.3 billion text messages were sent every month in the U.S.
  • 10 percent of all drivers under the ages of 20 involved in fatal crashes were reportedly distracted at the time of the crash.
  • At any given daylight moment across the U.S., approximately 660,000 drivers are using cell phones or manipulating electronic devices while driving.

Take the Pledge

Making a commitment to distraction-free driving starts with taking the pledge. Parents, teens and drivers of all ages are encouraged to make the commitment and take the pledge to end distracted driving. You can read the pledge below and encourage your family members, friends and loved ones to get on board.

I pledge to:

  • Protect lives by never texting or talking on the phone while driving.
  • Be a good passenger and speak out if the driver in my car is distracted.
  • Encourage my friends and family to drive phone-free.

As Dangerous as Drunk Driving

Recent research indicates that texting behind the wheel is as dangerous, if not more so, than drunk driving. Apparently, drivers have even slower reaction times when texting while driving than drunk drivers. If you’re focusing on your phone, you’re not paying attention to the road.

Teen Drivers Texting While Driving

Teen drivers are notorious for distracted driving behaviors. Coupled with inexperience behind the wheel, a cell phone in the hands of a teen driver is a deadly recipe for disaster. Parents are encouraged to talk to their teen drivers and set rules about safety behind the wheel. One of the best ways to stay safe behind the wheel is to put the phone down and pay attention to the road. Behind the wheel needs to be a cell-phone-free zone for not only teens but drivers of all ages. Parents need to hold their teen drivers accountable and talk to them about safe driving and staying alive. It’s no secret that motor vehicle accidents are the number one killer of teens across the U.S.

Driving Blindfolded

Texting while driving is a lot like driving blindfolded. You wouldn’t normally think this is a good idea, but you still might think it’s okay to text behind the wheel. Research shows that five seconds is the average amount of time your eyes are off the road when reading a text. If you’re only a respectable 55 miles per hour, that’s enough time to cross the entire length of a football field blindfolded. It’s like closing your eyes behind the wheel. You’re not just visually distracted. You’re manually and cognitively distracted too. In this amount of time, a person in front of you could have an emergency, a child could dart into the road or you could strike and kill a motorcycle rider or cyclist.

Types Distracted Driving Accidents

Although law enforcement investigative efforts are still catching up to how to catch the many types of distracted driving happening behind the wheel. We know that a few different types of accidents are frequently occurring when distracted driving is involved. It’s not uncommon to see distracted drivers drift out of their lanes. This can cause head on collisions. Crashes involving cyclists and pedestrians may also frequently involve distracted drivers. If you think a distracted driver is at fault for your crash, you need to talk to a lawyer as soon as possible to get the ball rolling on your case.

After a Texting and Driving Accident in Jackson

After any kind of car accident due to somebody else’s dangerous behavior, you need an attorney on your side. Whether you were struck in a pedestrian accident or hit head on by a texting driver, an experienced personal injury lawyer can help you get back on your feet and get you the compensation you need to pay your medical bills.

If you have been injured or if you have lost a loved one in a distracted driving or texting and driving accident in and around the Jackson area, contact the skilled lawyers at Coxwell & Associates, PLLC at (601) 265-7766 for a free consultation today.

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