April marks the official observance of Distracted Driving Awareness Month, a time dedicated to bringing attention to one of the leading causes of traffic accidents, injuries, and fatalities: distracted driving. Distracted driving is a serious public safety issue that affects drivers, passengers, pedestrians, and cyclists alike. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), distracted driving is responsible for thousands of fatalities each year, and its impact is widespread across all demographics. This month serves as an opportunity to raise awareness, educate the public, and encourage responsible driving behaviors to ultimately reduce the dangers associated with distractions on the road.
Our Norfolk car accident lawyers have successfully represented many clients who were seriously injured in crashes caused by distracted drivers. If you have been injured in a distracted driving accident, call our firm to find out what legal options you may have.
What Is Distracted Driving?
Distracted driving refers to any activity that diverts a driver’s attention away from the primary task of driving. What constitutes a distraction while driving? The NHTSA defines three main types of distractions that can impair a driver’s ability to operate a vehicle safely:
- Visual distractions: These are distractions that take a driver’s eyes off the road. This could include looking at a phone screen, checking a GPS device, or glancing at a passenger in the vehicle.
- Manual distractions: These distractions occur when a driver takes their hands off the wheel. Examples include texting, eating, drinking, or adjusting controls in the vehicle while driving.
- Cognitive distractions: These occur when a driver’s mind is not focused on driving. Thinking about personal issues, daydreaming, or engaging in conversations with passengers can all distract a driver from focusing on the road.
A combination of these distractions, such as texting, is particularly dangerous as it involves visual, manual, and cognitive distractions all at once. The more distractions a driver faces, the greater the risk of an accident occurring.
The Dangerous Reality of Distracted Driving
Distracted driving is not a minor issue; it has serious consequences. How dangerous is distracted driving? According to the NHTSA, each year, more than 3,000 people are killed in crashes involving distracted drivers, and more than 400,000 people are injured in accidents caused by distracted driving. These numbers reflect the enormous human cost of distracted driving, and they highlight the importance of tackling this issue head-on. The risks associated with distracted driving are not just limited to the driver. Passengers, pedestrians, and other road users are also at risk when a driver is not fully focused on the task at hand.
One of the key contributors to distracted driving is the widespread use of smartphones. How does smartphone use contribute to distracted driving? Texting while driving is one of the most dangerous distractions because it involves all three types of distraction: taking your eyes off the road, taking your hands off the wheel, and focusing your mind on something other than driving. Despite the well-documented risks, a staggering number of drivers continue to engage in texting and driving. In fact, studies have shown that texting drivers are 23 times more likely to be involved in a crash than those who are not texting.
Distracted Driving Among Young Drivers
One group that is particularly at risk for engaging in distracted driving is young drivers. Why are young drivers more prone to distracted driving? Teenagers and young adults often have less experience behind the wheel, and they tend to be more susceptible to distractions, including social media, texting, and conversations with friends. These distractions, combined with inexperience, create a dangerous mix that significantly increases the risk of accidents. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 10 percent of high school students report texting or emailing while driving, and 40 percent of high school students report talking on their cell phone while driving.
The combination of peer pressure, social media engagement, and the desire to stay connected makes young drivers more vulnerable to distracted driving. In many cases, teens may not fully grasp the severity of the risks involved, making education about the dangers of distracted driving especially important for this demographic.
The Costs of Distracted Driving
Distracted driving is not only a matter of personal safety—it also comes with significant financial and societal costs. According to a 2018 study by the National Safety Council (NSC), distracted driving crashes cost the U.S. economy approximately $40 billion annually. These costs include medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, and legal fees.
For individuals involved in distracted driving accidents, the financial consequences can be substantial. Drivers who cause accidents due to distracted driving may face legal actions, insurance claims, and increased premiums. Additionally, victims of distracted driving accidents may face costly medical bills, rehabilitation expenses, and lost income if they are unable to work due to injuries. The ripple effect of distracted driving extends beyond the immediate parties involved, as the financial strain can burden families, communities, and healthcare systems.
Efforts to Combat Distracted Driving
During Distracted Driving Awareness Month, various organizations, law enforcement agencies, and community groups work together to raise awareness and encourage safer driving behaviors. What efforts are being made to reduce distracted driving? Several initiatives are designed to reduce distracted driving and make roads safer for everyone:
Educational Campaigns
Campaigns like “U Drive. U Text. U Pay.” aim to educate drivers about the dangers of texting while driving. These campaigns often include public service announcements, social media posts, and community outreach programs to spread the message of distracted driving prevention.
Stricter Laws and Enforcement
Many states have enacted laws that prohibit texting while driving or using handheld devices while operating a vehicle. Law enforcement agencies actively enforce these laws, issuing fines and citations to violators. In some states, using a handheld device while driving can result in points on a driver’s license or even license suspension. These laws aim to deter drivers from engaging in distractions while behind the wheel.
Technological Solutions
Advances in vehicle technology can help reduce distracted driving. For example, many newer vehicles come equipped with hands-free systems that allow drivers to make phone calls, send messages, and navigate without taking their hands off the wheel. Additionally, there are mobile apps available that block text messages and incoming calls while a driver is on the road.
Parental Involvement
For teen drivers, parental involvement can make a significant difference. Parents can set clear rules about phone use while driving, serve as role models by driving safely themselves, and actively engage in discussions about the dangers of distracted driving.
Call Our Personal Injury Law Firm for Legal Assistance
Our dedicated Norfolk car accident attorneys have successfully represented many victims and their families whose lives were forever changed because of the negligence of a distracted driver, like the $235,000 car accident insurance settlement we obtained for one client who suffered multiple injuries when another driver failed to yield the right of way.
Contact Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp for a free case evaluation and learn what legal options you may have. For your convenience, we have offices in Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Hampton, Portsmouth, Suffolk, and Kitty Hawk, North Carolina.
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Since 1984, Jim St. Clair has fought and helped Virginia Beach personal injury clients overcome some of the most traumatic moments of their lives. Whether you have been in an accident caused by the fault of another or a victim of medical malpractice, the results can leave you profoundly damaged physically, mentally, and economically. You may be entitled to substantial compensation. Jim is a seasoned and experienced personal injury trial attorney with 40 years of experience. He graduated with honors from Creighton University School of Law in 1984 and then served in a prestigious federal law clerk position for the late U.S. District Judge J. Calvitt Clarke, Jr., in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia. Over several decades, Jim has enjoyed remarkable success advocating for injured clients and has won notable multimillion-dollar settlements and verdicts. He has tried cases in Virginia General District and Circuit Court and in the Eastern and Western District Virginia Federal Court. In one case that went up on appeal to the Supreme Court of Virginia, he convinced the court to change the law regarding the statute of limitations in Virginia medical malpractice “misdiagnosis” cases. Jim’s areas of Virginia personal injury law practice include medical malpractice, car and truck injury cases, dog bite injuries, and cases involving negligence at business premises. Within these areas of law, he has also successfully prosecuted numerous wrongful death actions. Outside the courtroom, Jim has served on the board of directors of the Better Business Bureau, taught as an adjunct professor for business law at Old Dominion University, instructed future paralegals at the American Institute of Paralegal Studies, and lectured Virginia attorneys on the subject of “insurance litigation in Virginia.” He is a member of the Virginia Trial Lawyers Association and the Virginia Beach Bar Association. If you have been impacted by the negligence of another, contact Jim St. Clair today for a free, confidential personal injury law consultation.
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