April is Distracted Driving Month

Distracted Driving Awareness Month Reminds Us All to Drive Safer

Talking on the phone and texting can lead to serious, even fatal, injuries

The National Safety Council has designated April as Distracted Driving Awareness Month, and it is sharing information about the dangers of talking on the phone and texting while driving through a widespread campaign. The NSC is providing numerous resources for employers to spread the word about the dangers of distracted driving, including cell phone policies, posters, and information sheets.

The NSC calls multitasking a myth, and points out that drivers would not try to read a book while behind the wheel, though they don’t seem to think that texting or talking on the phone while driving are problems. Yet both texting and having a phone conversation require a great deal of thought that can take a person’s eyes off the road and delay braking and reaction times. Answering just one text can take a driver’s eyes off the road for the full length of a football field.

According to data conducted by the NSC, about 40,000 people died in vehicle crashes last year, which was a 6 percent increase from the previous year and a 14 percent increase from 2014. The NSC said it was the biggest increase over a two-year period in the last 53 years, and it attributes some of the increase to the proliferation of cell phones and using them while driving.

A survey that the NSC conducted showed that 47 percent of drivers say they are comfortable texting while driving, whether they are doing it manually or using a hands-free device. Yet the NSC notes that we still don’t know how big the problem of distracted driving is since there is no test for cell-phone usage while driving, the way there is with a breathalyzer to see if someone has been drinking and driving. Instead, we rely on eyewitness reports or on self-reporting, and few people admit to using a cell phone while driving, especially if it led to a crash for which they might be held liable.

Through its Distracted Driving Month campaign, the NSC hopes to create more awareness about the dangers of using a cell phone while driving. It is especially interested in getting businesses to create policies for their employees to ban cell phone use while driving.

In North Dakota, it is illegal for people to text while driving, and those younger than 18 are banned from using a cell phone at all while driving. These are considered primary offenses, so a police officer can pull over a driver if cell phone use is spotted. The officer does not need another reason to make the stop, such as that the driver is speeding.

At Larson Law, we know that distracted driving can lead to serious accidents that cause severe injuries or even death. We represent clients every day who have been injured in such accidents or who have lost a loved one to these accidents. We encourage all drivers to remain focused on safety and to wait until they are stopped to make that call or send that text.

If you have been injured in an accident caused by a distracted driver, we urge you to call our firm at 701-484-4878 to talk with an experienced Minot personal injury lawyer about your legal options. Our attorneys fight to get clients the compensation they deserve after an accident, including coverage for medical expenses, time lost from work, and other negative effects. Call us today or use our secure online form to learn more.