New Dashboard Computers May Increase Georgia Distracted Driving Accidents
With increases in portable multi-media technology and mobile web surfing on handheld devices, the range of driving distractions are increasing at a phenomenal rate.
Many drivers have in-dash entertainment systems that offer television, DVD playback and GPS. Carmakers are now planning a new type of driving diversion that permits drivers to surf the Internet while driving. Companies like Intel and Google are leading the charge to bring the power of surfing the Internet on a home computer to the dashboard of motor vehicles. Traffic safety advocates have criticized the technology characterizing it as just one more dangerous driving distraction.
Distracted driving is already one of the most prevalent car accident risks. Based on data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), distracted driving causes as many as 20% of all traffic accidents that result in injury. The Department of Transportation (DOT) website, distraction.gov, indicates that distracted driving causes almost 5,500 fatalities and 450,000 traffic-related injuries annually.
These new in-dash entertainment systems will only add to the already long list of technological distractions that have caused a rise in the number of Georgia distracted driving accidents. Some of the common existing technological gadgets that distract drivers' attention include mobile phones, iPods, MP3 players, tablet computers, in-dash DVD systems and e-readers. These electronic gadgets are especially dangerous because they cause a driving distraction in all three ways – visual, cognitive and physical. These electronic information and entertainment systems distract drivers visually by drawing a driver’s eyes to the gadget’s display. Because a driver must process the information, driver’s mental processes are also taxed. Drivers also are physically distracted because they must adjust the devices as they typically are controlled by manually manipulating the buttons.
Based on the prototypes that have been revealed, this dangerous new technology may include large ten inch displays, high definition video players and 3-D webpages. While this new technology may be quite appealing, there is little dispute that watching movies and surfing websites while driving will likely increase the number of people who suffer serious injury or fatalities in Georgia distracted driving accidents.
If you or someone you love has suffered injury or been killed in a Georgia distracted driving accident, you should seek immediate legal advice from an experienced Georgia distracted driving law firm. Our Georgia distracted driving attorneys are available to assist clients throughout all of Georgia and the Southeast, including but not limited to Albany, Athens, Atlanta, Augusta, Columbus, Gainesville, Macon, Marietta, Rome, Roswell, Savannah, Smyrna, Valdosta, Warner Robins and all smaller cities and rural areas in the state. No matter where you are located our attorneys are just a phone call away, and we will even come to you. Call us 24 hours a day/7 days a week for your Free Consultation at 1-800-LAW-NEED (1-800-529-6333). You can also visit us online at www.montlick.com and use our Free Case Evaluation Form or 24-hour Live Online Chat.