Distracted driving statistics are harrowing, but issues continue

While going to work, taking the kids to school or running errands, you have undoubtedly seen many drivers with their heads down likely looking at their phones. You may shake your head and try to distance yourself from those drivers because you know they are not paying attention to the road.

Distracted driving is a serious issue, and despite individuals knowing the dangers of using a cellphone or succumbing to other distractions while behind the wheel, they continue to check their phones, video chat, look at social media and participate in other dangerous activities.

A prevalent problem

A recent survey broke down various aspects of distracted driving, including how drivers feel about distracted driving and the distracting activities they participate in. Some statistics from the survey include the following:

• Nearly 30% of respondents indicated that texting and driving was their biggest distraction even though 37% completely agreed that cellphone distractions impaired driving abilities.
• Respondents also indicated that they felt a high degree of pressure to respond to texts while driving, especially if the text was work-related.
• Texting is not the only issue as many respondents admitted to video chatting while behind the wheel. In a further breakdown, 70% of Apple iOS users stated that they video chatted while driving, and 17% of Android users said the same.
• Some drivers even watch YouTube videos while they should be focusing on the road.

Numerous other distractions affect drivers as well. Many individuals indicate that they take pictures while driving, eat and are distracted by their children.

Serious effects

Distracted driving is a problem that leads to car accidents that, in turn, lead to serious and fatal injuries. In fact, approximately nine people in the U.S. suffer fatal injuries every day due to distracted driving accidents. Additionally, over 1,000 people suffer non-fatal injuries daily in such events. As a result, thousands of people lose their lives every year because drivers are not paying attention.

If you suffer serious injuries or lose a loved one due to an accident caused by a distracted driver, your life can change forever. You may have reason to take legal action against that driver in efforts to seek compensation for the hardships you experience as a result of the incident. A personal injury or wrongful death claim could suit your circumstances, and discussing your legal options with a Delaware attorney may be wise.