In our modern, hyper-connected society, one of the most prevalent dangers on the road is distracted driving, primarily due to cell phone usage. The increasing dependence on mobile technology has spilled over into every aspect of our lives, and it has unfortunately fostered a high-risk behavior in vehicular operation.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), reported that in 2019, 3,142 people were killed in motor vehicle crashes involving distracted drivers in the United States. While this statistic includes all forms of distraction, the use of cell phones plays a significant role. The NHTSA further reported that 13% of these fatal crashes involved a driver using a cell phone at the time of the accident. Given the proliferation of cell phones and their increasing role in our daily lives, it is reasonable to anticipate an unfortunate upward trend in these figures in subsequent years.
Distracted driving encompasses any activity that diverts attention from driving, such as talking or texting on your phone, eating and drinking, talking to people in your vehicle, fiddling with the stereo, entertainment or navigation system—anything that takes your attention away from the task of safe driving. However, cell phones pose a unique and substantial risk because they often combine all three types of distraction: visual, manual, and cognitive.
Using a cell phone while driving not only takes your eyes off the road (visual distraction), but also one or both hands off the wheel (manual distraction). Moreover, engaging in a conversation or thinking about a message takes your mind off driving (cognitive distraction). This potent combination makes cell phone use while driving especially hazardous.
A study by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute found that text messaging, in particular, creates a crash risk 23 times worse than driving while not distracted. This alarming increase in risk is a clear demonstration of the danger that cell phone use poses to road safety. It's worth noting that even hands-free cell phone use, often touted as a safe alternative, is not risk-free. The cognitive distraction remains, and several studies have indicated that hands-free phone usage still increases the likelihood of a crash.
Moreover, distraction due to cell phone use not only impacts the distracted driver but also endangers others sharing the road—other motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians. Innocent road users can pay the ultimate price for another's moment of inattention. A study by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety showed that nearly 50% of all teen drivers admit they have been distracted by a cell phone at least once while driving, underscoring the dire need for proper education and prevention strategies.
Legislation to combat this problem varies widely, with some jurisdictions instituting outright bans on handheld cell phone use while driving, and others focusing on novice drivers or school zones. While these laws certainly have their place, they're only part of the solution. Awareness and education also play a vital role in tackling this issue.
Distracted driving, and particularly cell phone use while driving, is a pervasive problem that presents a significant risk to road safety. It's essential that we address this issue urgently, using a combination of legislative measures, technological solutions like blocking applications and auto-reply features, and continuous public education about the risks involved.
The use of a cell phone while driving is never safe, even when traffic is slow or you are waiting at a red light. A split-second distraction is all it takes to change lives irrevocably. It is up to all road users to drive responsibly and put the phone down to ensure not only their safety but also the safety of everyone else on the road.
MORE ALABAMA INJURY LAW NEWS
OUR LAW FIRM IS HERE TO HELP
Contact our Birmingham, Alabama Injury Lawyers Today for Legal Help
Have you or a family member recently been injured in an accident in Alabama? Contact Snable Stevenson & Silva for immediate legal assistance and advice. You may be able to pursue compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and other expenses. Our qualified Alabama injury lawyers can help you fight to secure a full and fair award.
We offer a free case evaluation and consultation. Contact our law office in Birmingham, Alabama to schedule yours today. If you can’t come to us, we can arrange a time to visit you. Consultations can be arranged at the hospital, your home, or even your place of business. There’s a limited amount of time to act, so give us a call to get started today.
FREE CASE EVALUATION
Thank you for submitting a request.
Our team will follow up with you as soon as possible.
There was an error sending your message.
Please try again later.
(800) 266-0877 • attorneys@snablestevenson.com
(205) 582-8000 • 2737 Highland Ave South, Birmingham, AL 35205
(901) 474-2900 • 1545 Union Ave, Memphis, TN 38104
This website is an advertisement for legal services. No representation is made that the quality of the legal services to be performed is greater than the quality of legal services performed by other lawyers. Use of this website signifies your agreement to the Terms of Use, Privacy Policy, and Form Disclaimer.
Snable Stevenson & Silva L.L.C.