Did you know that April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month? The National Safety Council, which champions the month, attempts to raise education about the dangers of distracted driving through national campaigns.
This year, the agency is focusing on hands-free devices, saying, “[w]hen talking on a cell phone, drivers can miss seeing up to half of what’s around them, such as traffic lights, stop signs and pedestrians.” This can occur even when a driver is using technology such as Bluetooth.
In addition to hands-free device operation, other examples of distracted driving include:
- Speaking to passengers
- Holding objects other than a cell phone
- Talking, singing and/or dancing
- Smoking
- Adjusting the radio or climate control
- Eating or drinking
- Cell phone interaction including texting
- Looking at GPS directions
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2012, 3,328 people were killed in crashes involving a distracted driver. Additionally, 421,000 people were injured in accidents involving distractions.
Drivers that are distracted put not only themselves at risk, but also other people on the road. If you injure or kill someone in a distracted driving accident, you can be held liable and the penalties can be severe.
Finding an Attorney for Texting and Driving Car Accidents
If you have experienced harm due to a distracted driver, it may be wise to seek legal guidance.
You are going to want to work with someone who has the knowledge and resources to guide you through a lawsuit, through which you may be able to collect damages and hold a negligent driver liable.
Continue to follow our blog for more information about vehicle accidents in Central Florida. If you have questions following a distracted driving accident, we can investigate your claim and potentially decide the best way to move forward.
Source: http://www.nsc.org/learn/NSC-Initiatives/Pages/distracted-driving-awareness-month.aspx