The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) recently released some alarming data that should caution all drivers as to the dangers of texting and driving. The state found that last year, 1,414 people died in car accidents across Georgia. That represents 244 more fatalities than in 2014, which is a significant 21 percent increase. Even further, this is the first annual increase in fatal car accidents after a decade of consistent declines in fatalities.
Georgia Car Accident Lawyers Discuss The Common Causes of Auto Accidents
At Montlick and Associates, Attorneys at Law, our Georgia car accident attorneys understand the grave dangers of distracted driving. We see lives ruined by distracted drivers far too often when injured clients come into our office. In fact, we are so committed to safeguarding our community that the firm sponsors several campaigns intended to end texting and driving by raising awareness as to its hazards. We urge all drivers to put down their cell phones while operating a motor vehicle for their safety and the safety of those around them.
Increase in Fatal Georgia Car Accidents Tied to Distracted Driving
Data from GDOT shows that 65 percent of all fatal accidents last year occurred because drivers failed to maintain their lane. Forty-seven percent of all fatalities in the state involved single vehicle crashes, wherein one car hit a fixed object, such as a tree or power pole. Researchers estimate that distracted driving caused 74 percent of all fatal accidents last year in Georgia. Driver distraction can cause drivers to veer out of their lane or off the roadway, resulting in catastrophic accidents. Texting while driving is considered the most dangerous form of distraction because it pulls the driver’s eyes, hands, and focus off the road for a considerable amount of time.
To combat the rising rate of fatal distracted driving accidents, GDOT has launched a new campaign called “DriveAlert ArriveAlive (DAAA). The goal of the campaign is to educate drivers that by making simple changes in their driving behavior, they can prevent accidents and save lives. The campaign features a variety of commercial and radio spots as well as online and social media coverage.
In addition to increasing public awareness through campaigns like this one, GDOT is working towards preventing distracted driving accidents through the use of measures such as rumble strips, safety edges, reflective signage, and center median cable barriers. All of these are designed to maintain the distracted driver’s attention to the road ahead and prevent them from crossing into the other lane. It is our hope that with increased awareness and new roadway safety measures, drivers across Georgia will put down their cell phones and focus on the task of driving so that car accident fatalities will once again go on the decline.
