Michael J. Gaffney, Attorney at Law
  • Home
  • About
    • Attorneys
    • Michael J. Gaffney
  • Practice Areas
    • Construction Accidents
    • Motor Vehicle Accidents
    • Wrongful Death Cases
    • New Jersey Accidents
    • Pedestrian Knockdowns
    • Serious Injuries
    • Slip-And-Fall Accidents
  • Blog
  • Contact
Select Page

Study finds distractions are the leading cause of car accidents

On behalf of Michael J. Gaffney, Attorney at Law | Mar 3, 2016 | Car Accidents

When a car accident occurs in New York, police officers and other authorities may be called to the scene. One of the most important parts of the accident investigation is determining the cause of the accident. Some factors that cause accidents, such as bad weather and faulty vehicle mechanics, cannot be controlled by the driver. Nonetheless, many accidents are in fact caused by driver negligence.

A study by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute finds that 75 percent of accidents on the road are caused by driver error. The study also found that drivers are engaging in distracting behaviors 68 percent of the time they are behind the wheel.

The study was conducted over a three-year period. Cameras and sensors were installed in the cars of volunteer participants. After studying the three years of footage, researchers found behaviors that require drivers to take their eyes off the road for a longer period of time are the most likely to cause a crash. Some of the behaviors that were most likely to cause an accident include: reaching to grab an item, using the phone, texting, using the car touch screen and emotional distress. Younger people, in particular, were more likely to be distracted while driving.

It is also important to note that the drivers in the study were volunteers, meaning that they knew they were being recorded and were probably driving more safely than non-volunteers. This means that the actual number of distracted drivers on the roadways is likely higher than the study indicates. These shocking numbers show that steps must be taken to reduce distracted driving on the roadways. Fewer distracted drivers mean more lives saved.

Source: Headlines & Global News, “Distractions Cause The Most Car Accidents Says Study,” Dahlia Snaiderman, Feb. 23, 2016

Recent Posts

  • How to keep yourself safe in parking lots at night
  • Be wary: Traffic deaths in New York are higher than ever
  • How pedestrians can avoid being victims of pedestrian crashes
  • What Are The Crucial Steps After A Crash?
  • Don’t blindly trust a walk signal

Archives

  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • January 2020
  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • September 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • January 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • September 2017
  • August 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • May 2017
  • April 2017
  • March 2017
  • February 2017
  • January 2017
  • December 2016
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • September 2016
  • August 2016
  • July 2016
  • June 2016
  • May 2016
  • April 2016
  • March 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • November 2015
  • October 2015
  • September 2015
  • August 2015
  • July 2015
  • June 2015
  • May 2015
  • April 2015
  • March 2015
  • February 2015
  • January 2015
  • December 2014
  • November 2014
  • October 2014
  • September 2014
  • August 2014
  • July 2014
  • June 2014
  • May 2014
  • April 2014
  • March 2014
  • February 2014
  • January 2014

Categories

  • blog
  • Car Accidents
  • Dog Bites
  • Firm News
  • Injuries
  • Medical Malpractice
  • Motorcycle Accidents
  • Pedestrian Accidents
  • Premises Liability

RSS Feed

Subscribe To This Blog’s Feed

FindLaw Network

Take The First Step

Let my experience help you down the road of recovery.

 Michael J. Gaffney, Attorney at Law

Office Location:

1164 Victory Blvd.
Staten Island, NY 10301

Phone: 347-286-1937

Staten Island Office Location
Review Us
  • Follow
  • Follow
  • Follow
Attorney Advertising.

© 2021 Michael J. Gaffney, Attorney at Law. All Rights Reserved.

Disclaimer | Site Map | Privacy Policy | Business Development Solutions by FindLaw, part of Thomson Reuters