Distracted Driving Leading Cause in Fatal Crashes
Fatal car crashes are devastating, but it is even more traumatic when the cause of the accident is preventable. According to the consumer safety advocacy group, Safer America, nine people are killed and 1,000 are injured each year in distracted driving accidents. In New Jersey alone, the Department of Transportation reported 1,372 car accidents were caused by distracted drivers in 2018, making distracted driving the leading cause of accidents in the state.
Common Forms of Distracted Driving
There are many different forms of distracted driving. The most common types include:
- Cellphone Usage: Texting, talking on the phone, and adjusting entertainment apps are the leading cause of distracted driving accidents. One-fourth of all car accidents are caused by drivers using a cellphone.
- Reaching for an Object: Drivers that reach into the front seat, back seat, or attend to a child or pet will take their eyes off the road for an average of three seconds, which is just enough time to cause an accident.
- Eating: Eating and drinking non-alcoholic beverages while driving requires drivers to take their attention off the road to handle packaging, spilled drinks and food, or move their hands to hold refreshments.
- Passenger Distraction: Pets, children, and even adult passengers can become a major distraction to a driver. Limiting passengers in the car is the best way to avoid this type of distraction.
- Daydreaming and Listening to Music: It may seem harmless to daydream or listen to music while driving, but when the driver’s focus is distracted for any reason, a car accident is likely.
- GPS/Navigation: Nowadays, drivers depend on electronic navigation. On board systems often require adjustments by the driver.
- Business Calls: Business calls are distracting because the driver’s focus is on business matters, not on the road.
- Parent/Teen Communication: Believe it or not, parents texting or calling their teenage drivers can cause distractions that can lead to a fatal car accident.
Preventing Distracted Driving Fatalities
Distracted driving accidents are the most preventable type of all car accidents. The following list contains ways to prevent distracted driving:
- Turn off your cellphone before you start driving.
- Plan your journey ahead of time to avoid using navigation tools while driving.
- Limit passengers in the car and leave pets at home.
- Teach young children to remain calm and strapped into car seats at all times.
- Pull over if you must eat or need a refreshment, and never refreshments to young children in the back seat.
- Stop the car or wait until you can safely pull off the road if you need to reach for anything.
- Never call or text your teenager when you know they are driving.
- Enforce consequences on teenagers who engage in distracted driving.
- Leave business at the office, answer business calls when you reach your destination.
Highland Park Car Accident Lawyers at the Law Offices of Harold J. Gerr Help All Injured Car Accident Victims
If you suffered injuries from a car accident that was caused by a distracted driver, you may be eligible for compensation. Our Highland Park car accident lawyers at the Law Offices of Harold J. Gerr will fight for your rights and help you obtain the compensation you deserve. Contact us online or call us at 732-537-8570 for a free consultation regarding your case. Located in Highland Park, New Jersey, we also serve clients in Somerset, Piscataway, Edison, South River, Sayreville, Metuchen, East Brunswick, South Plainfield, Fords, Middlesex, Old Bridge, Iselin, Bound Brook, Perth Amboy, and Colonia.
