April is officially Distracted Driving Awareness Month. According to the National Safety Council (NSC), our roads are more dangerous than they’ve ever been thanks to increasing distractions. On a typical day, hundreds of drivers and passengers are injured in distracted driving accidents across the country. In addition, at least eight people a day lose their lives in these accidents.
Sadly, these accidents could have been prevented. Distracted driving is something that is entirely in the driver’s control. As such, the NSC and other organizations are banding together to raise awareness and help encourage drivers to keep their eyes on the road at all times. Put down the distractions and #JustDrive.
What is Distracted Driving?
Distracted driving is dangerous because it can lead to accidents. There are three main types of distractions:
- Visual. Visual distractions are things that take your eyes off the road, such as looking at your phone.
- Manual. Manual distractions are things that take your hands off the wheel, such as texting.
- Cognitive. Cognitive distractions are things that take your mind off the road, such as talking on the phone.
All of these types of distractions can lead to accidents. For example, if you’re looking at your phone, you might not see a car coming up on the side of you. If you’re texting, you might not notice when the light turns red and end up hitting another car. And if you’re talking on the phone, you might not see that pedestrian crossing the street.
Accidents caused by distracted driving can be very serious. In fact, in 2016, 3,450 people were killed in accidents involving a distracted driver, and 391,000 people were injured. That’s why it’s so important to avoid distractions while driving.
How to Prevent Distracted Driving Accidents
There are a few things you can do to prevent distracted driving accidents.
First, don’t use your phone while driving. This includes texting, checking email, scrolling through social media, and talking on the phone. If you need to use your phone for an emergency, pull over to the side of the road first.
Second, put your phone out of reach while you’re driving. This will help you avoid the temptation to look at it. You can either put it in the glove box or in the backseat.
Third, make sure you’re focused on the road when you’re driving. Don’t talk on the phone, text, or do anything else that might take your attention away from the road. If you need to talk on the phone, pull over to the side of the road first.
If you are injured in an accident with a distracted driver, seek medical attention right away. Then, contact a personal injury attorney to discuss your legal options. Distracted drivers can be held liable for any injuries they cause, so you may be able to receive compensation for your injuries.
Contact Our Colorado Springs Car Accident Law Firm Today
Our Colorado Springs car accident attorneys can help you after suffering an injury in a distracted driving accident. We know how to handle the insurance companies and get you maximum compensation. Let us do what we do best, so you can focus on your recovery. Contact the Green Law Firm, P.C. today by calling (719) 694-8515, or by filling out the contact form on this page, to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation and discuss your case.
