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Distracted driving is a bigger problem than ever. In fact, distracted driving is such a huge problem, there is an entire month dedicated to combating it—Distracted Driving Awareness Month. In recognition of Distracted Driving Awareness month, below is some information on distracted driving and how to prevent it.
What is Distracted Driving?
Any activity that takes a driver’s attention from the road qualifies as distracted driving. Common types of distracted driving include:
- Talking on cellphones
- Texting and scrolling
- Talking with passengers
- Moving objects in the vehicle
- Adjusting audio and climate controls
- Reaching for objects
- Looking at items and activities on the sides of the road
- Eating or drinking
Distracted Driving Statistics
Not surprisingly, distracted driving results in countless injuries and deaths every year. Specifically, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), approximately 3,500 people were killed in distracted driving accidents in 2021, which is an increase of several hundred people from the year before. And with technology continuing to evolve and the number of devices and electronic gadgets increasing every year, distracted driving accidents are likely to remain on the upswing in the future.
Tips for Preventing Distracted Driving
Below are some tips to help reduce distracted driving.
Put Away the Phone
Smartphones are a routine cause of distracted driving accidents. Text messaging, scrolling, using social media, programming your GPS, and other distracting activities are all major dangers associated with smartphones. Simply putting your phone away while you drive drastically decreases your odds of being involved in a distracted driving accident.
Set Your GPS Before You Drive
GPS has largely replaced paper maps, which can be a distraction in their own right. As useful as these devices are, they create a distraction while operating your vehicle. Therefore, if you plan to use a GPS device, you should program it prior to driving.
Avoid Eating and Drinking
Although it’s common to grab a bite to eat while on the road, this doesn’t mean it’s safe. In fact, eating and drinking while driving is a routine cause of distracted driving accidents. Therefore, it’s advisable to either eat before you drive or to pull over to a safe location before eating in your vehicle.
Secure Loose Items
Loose items in your vehicle can easily become projectiles while you drive, causing damage and injuries. In addition, these items can be distracting if you attempt to reach for them while you drive. For example, reaching to pick an item up off the floorboard of your vehicle can place you and other drivers in danger. Therefore, you should secure any loose items before you operate your vehicle.
Contact a New York Distracted Driving Accident Attorney
If you’ve been hurt in a New York distracted driving accident, you should contact an experienced distracted driving accident attorney today. At Dell & Dean, PLLC, our experienced New York distracted driving accident lawyers will fight hard to obtain financial compensation on your behalf. Please contact us today to arrange a consultation with a New York distracted driving accident attorney.
