Distracted Driving Recognized in April

The National Safety Council (NSC) recognizes April as Distracted Driving Awareness Month to bring attention to what it calls “an epidemic” fueled in part by our access to and reliance on technology. According to the most recent numbers, distracted driving resulted in more than 3,000 deaths and nearly 400,000 injuries in 2015. In a poll released in February, the NSC found that although 83% of surveyed drivers consider driving to be a safety concern, 47% of those surveyed  were comfortable with texting manually or through voice controls. It should be noted that texting from the drivers’ seat is not only unsafe, but also illegal in Pennsylvania  and New Jersey.

Although there are other forms of distracted driving, including eating and drinking, talking to passengers, using a navigations system, and adjusting the radio, texting is the most dangerous.  Data obtained by the CDC states that, at 55 mph, the average text keeps a driver’s eyes off the road long enough to travel the length of a football field. Many drivers try to stay safe by only using a phone while they are stationary at a stop sign or red light, but this is also a form of distracted driving. A study by AAA  found that mental distractions can last as long as 27 seconds after hitting send on a voice command text, meaning that a stop light text is not much safer than a text sent while driving.

If another driver is at fault for a car accident, it is important to have an attorney handle your claim to get the compensation you deserve. Contact our experienced partner Christopher Fleming for a Pennsylvania accident at (215) 567-1530, or call (856) 273-6679 and ask to speak to Greg Sciolla to inquire about a New Jersey accident.

Published April 11, 2017