It is dangerous to text while driving. Texting while driving is only one type of distracted driving, but it has become the focus of much debate. Distraction.gov defines distracted driving as a non-driving activity that has the potential to distract a person from driving. There are three types of distraction: visual, manual, and cognitive. A driver who engages in texting while driving is distracted in all three ways.
Important Facts about Texting While Driving
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) survey, “An Examination of Driver Distractions as Recorded in NHTSA Databases,” distracted driving is the cause of many serious car accidents. Although cellular phones have led to important advances, such as economic growth, job creation, and increased response time to medical emergencies related to car accidents, they have also led to potentially dangerous and fatal levels of distraction on the road.
The NHTSA notes that the use of cellular phones and texting while driving has become a significant danger. The survey found that the use of hand-held electronic devices while driving has increased since 2007 from 0.7 percent to 1.0 percent. The survey also concluded that electronic device usage by drivers between the ages of 16 and 24 had risen from 1.0 percent to 1.7 percent, and that more females than males use electronic hand-held devices while driving.
This increase in cellular usage is the cause of many traffic accidents. Data collected by NHTSA resulted in the following findings: distracted driving caused 5,331 out of 34,017 car accidents, distracted driving wrecks accounted for 5,870 fatalities, and drivers under age 20 were involved in fatal distracted-driving crashes more often than older drivers.
Recovering from a car accident can be difficult and expensive. Medical costs and lost wages can lead to devastating financial hardships. If you have been in a car wreck involving distracted driving, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. At Denena & Points, a Houston car accident attorney can help you pursue a lawsuit against the party responsible for your injuries. The firm has extensive experience litigating distracted-driving car accidents in the Houston, Texas area. For a free consultation, contact the law office of Denena & Points at 713-807-9500 or 877-307-9500