Auto accidents from distracted drivers have increased significantly in recent years.
Some common driver distractions are cell phone use, using a navigation
system, grooming, reading, eating, anything that distracts the driver
from their primary responsibility of driving the vehicle.
Because texting requires more visual and mental attention, it is one of
the most dangerous of the distracted driving activities. Texting can endanger
the lives of drivers, passengers and
pedestrians. Sending a text message while driving can increase your chances of having
an auto accident by 23 percent. According to the government website for
distracted driving, when receiving or sending a text, estimates are that
your eyes are off the road for approximately 4.6 seconds, and if you are
driving at a rate of 55 mph, it is the equivalent of blindly driving the
length of a football field. Would you ever risk driving the length of
a football field blindfolded?
In Louisiana, if you are a school bus driver, have your learner’s
permit or a recent license holder or are under 18 years of age, you are
not allowed to use your cell phone while driving. Louisiana also has a
ban on texting while driving for all drivers.
Younger People with Newer Technology
Teens and young adults are often more affected by driving distractions.
Teens tend to use their cell phones more and tend to engage in riskier
activities with their phones while driving. Their reaction time while
driving and texting slows to be the same as a 70 year old. It is important
that we educate our children regarding the dangers of texting while driving,
and of course not text and drive ourselves. A common slogan is Put Down
the Phone, Save A Life, and Don’t Text and Drive.
If you have any questions regarding distracted driving or have been injured
in an auto accident by a driver who was distracted while driving, call
our office at
(504) 470-3935.