What You Need To Know About Texting While Driving

Texting while driving is already proven to be one of the most threatening driving distractions on the road. Traffic crashes, involving both fatalities and injuries, because of drivers using their cellphones to text or write messages.

Talking and using the phone while driving is very critical because drivers who are involved with these are more likely to get into a traffic accident. It has become widely visible that these activities are harmful to driving, that’s why it should need to be reduced.

The danger for motorcyclists

Text messaging is a critical distraction among drivers which puts all the other vehicles at risk, in particular for motorcyclists, who are not protected by seatbelts and airbags.

Every year, hundreds or thousands of riders got killed by distracted drivers, with texting or using cell phones as the most usual cause of distraction. More severe motorcycle accidents might result in a loss of income, increasing medical bills, and suffering and pain.

Serious injuries related to motorcycle crash such as broken bones, amputation, or injuries which require surgery might be costly. That’s why motorists who got involved in the accident need to file a claim with an aide of accident lawyers, say in Phoenix.

Fender-Benders

Texting while driving takes the driver’s eyes off the road for an average of about five seconds, and that’s already enough time not to notice the vehicle in front of them suddenly breaking for a pedestrian.

Also, texting while driving causes the brake reaction speed to slow down by eighteen percent, meaning they are less likely to avoid an unexpected obstacle in the path, whether it is an animal, pedestrian, or another driver.

Statistics of the accidents and injuries caused by texting and driving

If drivers can’t wait to send a text message until they are no longer behind the wheels, it might cost their life, or someone else’s.

Here are the most recent statistics of accidents, injuries, and fatalities caused by texting and driving.

  • 431,000 people were injured because of distracted drivers.
  • Using a cell phone while driving makes 23x more likely to get involved in a car crash.
  • In the U.S, one out of four accidents is caused by using cell phones while driving.
  • Texting and driving raise the time that the driver’s eyes are off the road for an average of five seconds.
  • Texting and driving are six times more likely to cause an accident than drunk driving.
  • Using a cell phone while driving causes 330,000 injuries every year.
  • Cell phone use while driving is responsible for 1.6 million accidents every year.
  • It increases the time the driver’s eyes off the road by 400%.
  • Drivers in their 20s make up 38% of distracted drivers who are using their cell phones in serious accidents.
  • Eleven teens die every day because of texting while driving.
  • 3,179 people were killed because of distracted driving in 2014.
  • Every year, an average of 6,000 people die from cell phone related accidents.
  • In 2013, 15% of drivers ages 15-19 died because of texting while driving.

Takeaway

People become aware of the dangers which are related to texting and driving. Many hope it could be reduced to commute safely. Cell phone use while driving is dangerous for everyone on the road. And should be viewed as such by lawmakers and drivers alike. The effects are distracting enough, that’s why it is time that everyone needs to pay attention.