Distracted Driving Rates Rising
I’m Ed Smith, a Fairfield wrongful death lawyer. Almost ninety percent of all motorists believe that distracted driving is the single greatest danger facing today’s drivers. However, despite the overwhelming opinion that distracted driving is dangerous, around one-third of drivers openly admit to either texting or talking on their cell phones while on the road. Mike Blasky, a spokesperson for AAA in Northern California, remarked in a statement released along with survey results that area drivers “have to find new ways” of reminding themselves to focus their full attention on the road and “not their phones.” Blasky added that drivers mostly “know that (distracted driving) is a dangerous behavior.”
Perception of Danger
The survey, released on Thursday, March 29, 2018, by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety involved 2,613 Northern California drivers of ages 16 and over who reported having driven in the past 30 days. Survey results indicated that around 88 percent of survey respondents think distracted driving is a rising problem and ranked it as a more pervasive issue than other reckless driving behaviors like aggressive driving (at 68 percent), driving while intoxicated by drugs (at 55 percent), and driving while drunk (at 43 percent).
The survey also shows that almost 50 percent of respondents reported that they “regularly see” motorists who are using their phones while driving.
Additionally, 58 percent of respondents indicated that they think talking on the phone is dangerous while driving and 78 percent indicated that they think texting while driving is dangerous.
Self-Reporting
Despite the large majority of drivers admitting that distracted driving is a problem, the survey reported that almost half of the drivers admitted that they use their mobile phones while behind the wheel and 35 percent reported specifically texting or emailing.
This number isn’t just a contradiction, it also shows a startling increase in self-reporting of distracted driving. The number of self-reporting distracted drivers has increased by 30 percent since a survey taken in 2013.
A Real Threat
Evidence indicates that driving while distracted is a real threat to pedestrians, motorcyclists, cyclists, and drivers alike. AAA studies of dash-cam video footage have shown that distraction was a causal factor in 58 percent of collisions involving teenage drivers. Blasky reported in his statement that while “there is no consistent method for tracking” the role of driver distraction after car accidents have occurred, but that when AAA placed cameras in vehicles they were able to see “how prevalent it really is.”
Tips for Avoiding Dangerous Driving Behavior
While using your phone is certainly dangerous, there are other behaviors that often take drivers’ attention away from the road, leaving them liable to cause accidents involving serious injuries. These behaviors can be avoided by:
- Not eating food while driving
- Programming your GPS and adjusting your radio prior to leaving for your destination
- Securing pets and/or children
- Securing loose objects like house keys or water bottles
- Installing a preventative app on your phone.
Preventative Apps
While there are many apps that can keep drivers from using their phones while behind the wheel, the DMV endorses these on their official website:
More by Ed Smith, Fairfield Wrongful Death Lawyer
Fairfield Wrongful Death Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Fairfield wrongful death lawyer. In the event of an auto accident fatality, responsible parties can often be held responsible. If your loved one received fatal injuries in a crash, call me for friendly, free advice. I’m available at (707) 564-1900, AutoAccident.com, and my toll-free number, (800) 404-5400.
I’ve assisted Fairfield residents with cases of wrongful death and personal injury for 36 years.
I’ve been reviewed on:
I have previously won and settled cases worth more than $1,000,000 for clients. Because of these successes, I’m included in the Million Dollar Advocates.
See my Prior Verdicts and Settlements.
For Northern California’s leading auto accident and traumatic injury data, blogs, and information see AutoAccident.com.
pic: “texting and driving” by SplitShire via pexels CCO
:ms [cs 689] cv