In today’s world, distractions are everywhere. Among the most common dangerous distractions is the use of a cellphone while driving. Statistical analyses reveal significant delays in drivers’ reaction times when they use cell phones. Have you ever looked down at your phone and suddenly hit the breaks to avoid rear-ending the car in front of you? Have you ever honked at a car in front of you because it is not moving when the light turns green—but you could see a cellphone’s glow in the driver’s face? Chances are you answered Yes to both of these questions. Drivers constantly look down and distract themselves with their cell phones. The effects of these distractions are akin to driving while intoxicated.
If a distracted driver injured you in an accident, call our office today to speak with a Maryland car accident lawyer.
Analysis of the Data
Using cell phones, eating and drinking, and interacting with an in-vehicle system all increase the odds of a crash. The NHTSA reports that about 87 percent of rear-end crashes take place because the driver in the car following the lead vehicle is distracted. Talking or listening on a cell phone while driving is one of the top distracting activities.
Only a few seconds of distracted driving may cause a driver to miss a vehicle slowing down or braking. The following most common distractions cause drivers to rear-end other vehicles:
- Eating and drinking
- Reading a GPS
- Texting
- Talking on a cell phone
- Looking at instrument panels
- Interacting with passengers
Merely putting down cell phones and switching to hands-free devices won’t significantly alleviate the distraction issue. The crux of the problem is related to the attention span and focus of the driver—the more tethered the attention span, the higher the rate of collision.
Data collected from more than 3,000 drivers suggests that crash risk increased by five times or more when drivers manipulated a cell phone compared with undistracted drivers. Statistical analyses that aggregated the results of 33 studies in one analysis and 23 studies in another reported significant delays in drivers’ reaction times and thereby increased the chance of rear-end crashes.
Methods to Reduce Crash Risks Related to Distracted Driving
Crash avoidance technology is perhaps the most promising avenue for reducing car risks caused by any type of distraction. Data suggests that these technologies can help prevent or mitigate rear-end crashes by specifically redirecting the distracted driver’s attention back to the road via, for example, a voice-activated system.
Call a Baltimore Personal Injury Lawyer Today to Discuss Your Case
Distracted driving injures thousands of innocent victims each year, leaving many with lifelong medical issues. To schedule a free case evaluation with a Baltimore personal injury lawyer, call the Alpert Schreyer Injury Accident Lawyers today at 301-381-2655 or send us an email through our online contact form.