It has become widely accepted in Georgia and throughout the U.S. that distracted driving is one of the most common concerns and causes of motor vehicle accidents. Given the risk and the propensity of people to continually look at their device and try to multitask, it remains important to keep track of behaviors to try and find solutions to the problem. Research is a key part of that and a new study from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety indicates the problem is not getting better.
In its report, IIHS says that the number of drivers using cellphones while driving rose by 57 percent when compared to a similar study in 2014. The difference between 2014 and 2018 is in how people are using the device. In the past, they were simply talking on the phone. In 2018, they are using it for myriad purposes, including checking the web, sending text messages, using navigation apps and more.
IIHS states that, in 2017, approximately 800 people died in motor vehicle accidents due to cellphone use. Since it can be difficult to pinpoint how much distracted driving impacts safety to a precise degree, this information is important to understand its danger. IIHS placed researchers near traffic lights and in other areas to observe passing drivers. An estimated 25 percent were doing things apart from watching the road. That included using their phone, eating and smoking. Distractions can come about for reasons other than a cellphone.
Using the device for reasons other than a call when behind the wheel could increase the chance of an accident by as much as 66 percent. According to the latest fatality statistics from 2017, there was an improvement, but it was still the second worst year for fatalities in the previous 10 years. When considering these numbers, it is no surprise that people are still being injured and killed in distracted driving crashes. There can be medical costs, loss of life and innumerable problems. After a crash, knowing whether it was due to a distracted driver can be imperative to a legal case. A law firm experienced in investigating motor vehicle accidents and pursuing compensation can help.
