Are You a Distracted Driver?

Have you ever been driving behind another vehicle that was moving erratically? You may have felt unsafe as the car swerved and then overcorrected, and you may have even slowed down to increase the distance between your cars. Twenty years ago, you may have thought that the car ahead of you was being driven under the influence. Today, however, you could have been following a distracted driver.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, distracted driving is driving while doing any other activity that takes away the full attention of the driver. Because of distracted drivers, more than 3,000 lives were lost in the year 2015 and more than 300,000 people were injured. Distracted driving is an epidemic that is dangerous and deadly, and that has only increased over the past decade.

Are You a Distracted Driver?
When most people think of distracted driving, they think of driving while using a smartphone. It is certainly true – drivers text, browse their social media feeds, internet search, and use multiple apps all while operating a car. If you are guilty of pulling out your phone while you are in the driver’s seat, chances are high you have been a distracted driver.

Beyond technology use, drivers can become distracted by other activities including eating, putting on makeup, or helping a child in the backseat retrieve a lost toy. Each of these activities takes your focus away from the road, which can cause you to be involved in an accident.

How Can You Stop?
Most of us have been a distracted driver at some point in the past few years. However, adopting better habits can keep you from becoming another distracted driver statistic. Make a commitment to keep your phone in your glove compartment while you are driving. No text or phone call is as important as you arriving at your destination safely. Choose not to eat in the car, and if someone in the backseat needs your attention, pull over and park before taking care of it.

If you are involved in an accident due to another driver’s distracted driving, you could be entitled to compensation for your medical bills and injuries. If you have been involved with a car accident, give the team at O’Brien Law a call today for a free consultation. We would love to hear more about your situation and provide guidance on next steps that would be in your best interests.