Study Reveals Distracted Drivers Engage in Multiple Forms of Unsafe Driving Simultaneously
Study Reveals Distracted Drivers Engage in Multiple Forms of Unsafe Driving Simultaneously
The dangers presented by distracted drivers who attempt to use their cell phones behind the wheel rather than focusing on potential road hazards, stopped traffic, and pedestrians in the roadway have been well-documented. The problem is significant enough that federal agencies like the National Transportation Safety Board have called for a complete ban of cell phones by those operating any type of motor vehicle. While the use of a cell phone to send, read and compose text messages or make telephone calls poses an enormous risk to other drivers, passengers, motorcyclists, bicyclists and pedestrians, a new study suggests that there may be more bad news regarding inattentive drivers.
According to a new research conducted by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, drivers who disregard the dangers associated with distracted driving also are far more likely to engage in other forms of negligent and reckless driving. Distracted driving is the primary reason many families lose a loved one, as well as why many other people suffer severe mental and physical injuries. The notion that drivers who are not focusing entirely on their driving are also disregarding traffic safety laws and engaging in high risk driving behavior is truly disturbing.
The AAA study compared drivers who admitted to frequent use of a cell phone when operating a motor vehicle to those who indicated that they did not typically multi-task with a cell phone when behind the wheel of a vehicle. The results clearly suggest that drivers willing to engage in one hazardous form of driving conduct are likely to engage in others:
- Drivers who said use their cell phone while driving were found to be twice as likely to violate the speed limit.
- Cell phone users were three times as likely to drive when they were tired and fatigued.
- Inattentive drivers were about half as likely to buckle up.
- Cell phone users were more than seventeen times more likely to use their phone to text or email than drivers who generally did not engage in distracted driving practices.
When drivers engage in multiple forms of unsafe driving, the risk of a serious collision in Atlanta or the surrounding areas of Georgia increases exponentially. Because federal traffic safety regulators presume that the prevalence of distracted driving, including driving while using portable electronic devices, is significantly understated, it is reasonable to presume that there also are a higher number of people that engage in reckless and negligent driving while text messaging or carrying on a conversation on a cell phone.
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If you have been injured by a negligent driver in a Georgia auto accident, you should contact one of our attorneys at Montlick & Associates. Our attorneys will examine the facts and circumstances of what happened to you and advise you on your rights as well as what steps are necessary to protect those rights. With more than 39 years of experience, Montlick & Associates, Attorneys at Law continues to provide superior legal representation to injured individuals from all across Georgia.
If you would like to discuss your situation with one of our Georgia Car Accident and Personal Injury Attorneys, contact Montlick & Associates, Attorneys at Law today by calling (800) LAW-NEED (529-6333) to schedule your free consultation. You may also visit us online at www.montlick.com to complete a Free Case Evaluation Form, and you may also participate in a 24-hour Live Online Chat.
Sources: https://www.aaafoundation.org/distracted-driving, http://newsroom.aaa.com/tag/aaa-foundation-for-traffic-safety/, https://www.cdc.gov/motorvehiclesafety/distracted_driving/
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