Most New York City drivers and drivers in general should know the dangers that distracted drivers create. Auto accidents are increasingly prevalent because of texting and driving and other distracting behaviors behind the wheel. Studies are frequently done to examine the scope of the problem. New research from Zendrive shows that drivers are still engaging in distractions behind the wheel despite a legislative crackdown. People who are in crashes should be even more cognizant that it is possible that the crash came about due to a distracted driver.
In its study, Zendrive found that around 60 percent of drivers — approximately 69 million — are using their phones at least one time when behind the wheel. This information came from the drivers themselves as they provided it anonymously. Every hour, these drivers will use their phone around 3 minutes and 40 seconds. That is 10 seconds higher than the same information Zendrive had one year ago. This coincides with the National Safety Council reporting on the rise of fatal auto accidents from 2015 to 2016, which constituted the highest rise in 50 years. In 2017, there were more than 40,000 deaths. A reduction in the price of gas was deemed to be a factor, but a major reason for these accidents is distracted drivers.
States are taking steps to dissuade drivers from using their phones when behind the wheel. New York is included in the number of states that banned the use of phones while driving. Still, the number of distracted drivers rose in every state in the U.S. except for Vermont. In that state, law enforcement has made it a priority to address the issue of distracted driving. Zedrive believes that there is an obvious link between distracted driving and fatal accidents. Younger people getting their driver’s licenses are so accustomed to checking their electronic devices very often, that they cannot stop themselves from doing so when driving. In the study, 4.5 million drivers took part from December 2017 to February 2018.
New York drivers who are in a crash should know about the risks of distracted driving before an accident, but this is especially true after an accident. The medical costs, lost wages and other issues that inevitably result from crashes can significantly hinder a person’s life. When there is a fatality, the problems are made exponentially worse. It is essential that those involved in car accidents understand their rights with regards to filing a lawsuit, so they can make informed decisions.
Source: Fortune, “Distracted Driving Is Skyrocketing, Even With New Laws Limiting Phones in Cars,” Aaron Pressman, April 10, 2018
