What Should I Know About Distracted Driving Awareness Month?
April 26, 2021
Distracted driving leads to a significant number of deaths every year in the United States as well as numerous car accident injuries. Distracted driving car accidents have become so common that increased public education about the dangers of driving distracted have become necessary for public safety. April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month, and it is a good time to review why distracted driving is so dangerous and how it can be prevented.
Distracted Driving Awareness Month is a reminder to remember procedures for safe driving. The most common kind of distracted driving involves a motorist using their cellphone or another electronic device while driving. Remembering not to text or talk on the phone when driving can save lives. Additionally, loud music, distracting conversations, or attempting to do other activities while driving can lead to catastrophic accidents.
What is Distracted Driving?
Distracted driving refers to a motorist taking their attention off the road and can come in many forms. Generally, many people think about visual distractions when they hear about distracted driving. When a driver takes their eyes off the road, they may not see obstacles that could have been avoided. Additionally, reaction time suffers as a result.
Distractions are not only visual, however. A distraction could refer to the driver being cognitively or manually distracted. A cognitive distraction is when the driver’s mind is away from driving, such as daydreaming. A manual distraction is when a motorist removes their hand off the steering wheel. All types and forms of distracted driving are dangerous.
Distracted Driving Statistics
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in 2019, 3,142 died in distracted driving car accidents. The National Safety Council (NSC) also reports that 2,841 people in the United States passed away from distracted driving crashes in 2018 alone. It is also worth noting that the driver is not the only one that suffers after a distracted driving accident, some victims may not even be in the vehicle at all. Pedestrians and bicyclists are common victims of distracted driving collisions.
Distracted driving can lead to severe consequences, which is why Distracted Driving Awareness Month is so important. After a distracted driving accident, a victim should speak to a lawyer about their legal options.
Philadelphia Car Accident Lawyers at Nerenberg Law Associates, P.C. Advocate for Clients Injured by Distracted Drivers
A distracted driving car crash can become an event that changes a victim’s life in many ways. These accidents can cause physical, mental, and emotional harm as well as financial damages that can be very difficult to overcome. It is important to know the causes of car accidents and how to avoid them, however, sometimes they cannot be avoided, and victims need to know how to move forward as well. After a car crash, a Philadelphia car accident lawyer at Nerenberg Law Associates, P.C. can help. For a free consultation, call us at 215-569-9100 or complete our online form today. We have an office conveniently located in Philadelphia, and we proudly serve clients throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey.