Texting while driving is a deadly, dangerous habit that has sadly become all too common on the roads. Over three thousand people died on the road because of distracted driving in 2020, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). And around ten percent of those deaths were the result of somebody deciding to send a text while behind the wheel.

It’s a sobering statistic, and it’s clear that there’s a real need to address the problem. Texting might be the way that we’ve all gotten used to keeping in touch with one another but combine it with overseeing a vehicle and you have a very serious, deadly weapon that can lead to all sorts of distressing, traumatic situations.

In this post, we’ll look further into the dangers of texting while driving, the laws in place to prevent it, and what we can do to reduce it and prevent the accidents that it causes.

The Dangers of Texting and Driving

Sending or reading a text message while driving can seriously impair a driver’s ability to react to hazards on the road. While you are texting, you are not giving your full attention to the vehicle and the road ahead of you. When texting, the driver must divide their attention between the road and their phone, which can make it difficult for the driver to quickly react to any hazards that they encounter on the road such as lane changes, drivers in front of them suddenly stopping, or pedestrians. A driver who is texting has slower reaction times, which can make avoiding accidents harder.

Texting while driving can significantly increase the risks of a collision. It can cause drivers to take their eyes off the road for extended periods, leaving them unaware of what is going on around them. Texting while driving can also impair your ability to stay in control of the vehicle, leading to drifting out of lanes that can be seriously dangerous.

Plus, texting will divert the driver’s attention from their speed, which could lead to driving at an excessive speed, or slowing down to a dangerous speed, creating a hazard on the road.

Laws Against Texting and Driving

There are various laws, and penalties, for texting and driving that vary depending on the state and jurisdiction. Some states passed laws that prohibit all drivers from texting and driving, while others only prohibit certain groups of drivers, such as teenagers, from using a smartphone while driving. There are various penalties for texting while driving, which could include fines and jail time.

A survey in 2019 by the NHTSA showed that Americans continue to use their electronic devices while behind the wheel, regardless of the laws and warnings that it can lead to accidents, injuries, and even death. According to Ray RaHood, the U.S. Transportation Secretary at the time, there is no way to text and drive safely.

In 2012, there were very different results from another NHTSA national survey, on Distracted Driving Attitudes and Behaviors. 74% of drivers supported a ban on hand-held cell phone use while driving, while a huge 94% of respondents supported a ban on texting while driving. They believed that drivers committing these offenses should be fined no less than $200.

Texting and Driving Laws in the States We Cover

The states we cover and their laws on texting while driving are as follows:

California: Drivers are not permitted to use a cell phone for calling or reading and writing text messages while driving on a public road. However, drivers are permitted to use cell phones for calling and texting if they do so through a handsfree system. All drivers under the age of 18 are prohibited from using a cell phone when driving, even when a handsfree system is used.

Nevada: Drivers of all ages are prohibited from texting, accessing the internet, and using hand-held devices for any other reason while driving. There are some exceptions – hands-free devices are permitted, and drivers are also permitted to touch their phones to ‘activate, deactivate, or initiate a feature or function’. It’s also legally permitted to use a phone while driving if reporting a hazard, crime, or emergency.

Texas: In Texas, it’s illegal for drivers to use cell phones, including for texting, when driving and the car is moving. All uses of handheld devices are banned when driving through a school zone, and drivers with a learner’s permit are not permitted to use a cell phone in any manner while behind the wheel during their first six months of driving. Drivers who are under the age of 18 are not permitted to use any kind of handheld device while driving.

Preventing Texting While Driving Through Educating Drivers

An accident caused by texting while driving is often one of those things where you might think ‘it will never happen to me’. However, the dangers of using your phone to send a message while behind the wheel can happen to any driver, no matter how long you have been driving for or how good you are as a driver.

Drivers can use several strategies to avoid the temptation to text and drive, including switching off or silencing the device while driving. If you must respond to a text message while driving, it’s also a good idea to designate a passenger to respond on your behalf. Keeping your phone out of reach while driving, if you can, can also help reduce the temptation to use it. If you use your phone for GPS directions, it can be worth checking your phone’s system for driving mode, which will prevent you from getting distracting notifications or calls coming through when using your phone to follow a route.

Educational programs and campaigns can also be effective when it comes to raising awareness on the dangers of texting and drivers. For example, AT&T’s ‘It Can Wait’ campaign encourages people to promise not to text and drive. Many schools also run programs to educate teens on the dangers of texting while operating a car before they get behind the wheel.

If you’ve been involved in a car accident through somebody’s driving and texting, we know how frustrating and distressing this situation can be. At Karns & Karns Personal Injury and Accident Attorneys, our lawyers are well-versed in the laws and have won many cases for clients affected by a driver who was texting behind the wheel. Call us today at 877-557-4221 to discuss how we can help you.

Distracted driving is a serious problem affecting millions of people on the road each year. Distracted driving is any activity that diverts the driver’s attention away from the task at hand: driving a vehicle. There are various types of distracted driving, including visual, manual, and cognitive distractions.

Being distracted while driving can lead to serious accidents, injuries, and even death. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there were over three thousand deaths caused by distracted driving in 2020.

The purpose of this guide is to raise awareness about distracted driving, its dangers, and its potential consequences. We’ll investigate the different types of distractions that may become a problem for drivers, the impact they can have, and the steps that you can take to prevent them.

Types of Distractions

When driving, there are lots of things that could potentially become a distraction. These are:

Visual Distractions

Visual distractions refer to any kind of distraction that takes the driver’s eyes off the road; for example, looking at a phone, using a GPS system, or using any other kind of electronic device while driving. While modern cars are designed with GPS systems that you can use without the need to take your eyes off the road, for example, by giving it voice commands, smartphones and other electronic devices don’t always have these features. These can be very dangerous for drivers, which is why it’s against the law to drive and use your phone for things like texting or browsing social media. Trying to read a map or program a GPS system while driving can also be dangerous, which is why it’s important to have your route planned and GPS set up before you set off.

Manual Distractions

Manual distractions are any kind of distraction that takes the driver’s hands off the wheel. Some examples of this could be eating, adjusting the radio, or smoking while driving. Being distracted by these kinds of tasks can make it harder for a driver to maintain control of the car and can be a risk factor for accidents.

Cognitive Distractions

These refer to any type of distraction that takes the driver’s mind off the task at hand. This could involve thinking about personal problems, daydreaming, or being too tired to focus on driving. Cognitive distractions make it harder for a driver to quickly react to unexpected situations, which can increase the risk of accidents on the road.

It’s crucial to note that these distractions often don’t happen one at a time – and a combination of two or more of them can make driving especially dangerous. For example, a driver may be visually distracted by their GPS system, manually distracted trying to eat while driving, and cognitively distracted by worrying about a personal problem. In this kind of situation, the risk of being involved in an accident increases significantly.

Consequences of Distracted Driving

Distracted driving can have serious consequences. These are:

Personal Consequences

Distracted driving can lead to a range of serious personal consequences, including serious injury or death, or being arrested for driving dangerously. Drivers who are distracted by something else while they are behind the wheel are more likely to be involved in accidents that can result in serious injuries or even death for the driver, passengers, and other people on the road.

Drivers who cause accidents due to driving while distracted can also face legal consequences such as fines and imprisonment. They may end up with a criminal record.

Financial Consequences

Driving while distracted can also have serious financial consequences for drivers. When an accident is caused, it can lead to many serious expenses such as vehicle repairs, legal fees, and increased insurance premiums. Plus, a driving distracted accident can have a range of knock-on effects, such as losing your job due to an arrest or criminal record. It may lead to other financial hardships, such as being unable to continue working due to no longer having a usable vehicle.

Social Consequences

The social consequences of driving while distracted can also be severe. This is especially true if an accident due to distracted driving occurs while passengers are in the car. People who cause road accidents because of driving while distracted may ruin their relationships with friends and family. Along with this, they may be required to perform community service or take part in other rehabilitation processes.

It’s important to note that the consequences of distracted driving can go far, affecting not only the driver, but also their family and friends. The impact of a distracted driving accident can be felt for years, leading to various hardships and problems.

Preventing and Solving the Issue of Distracted Driving

Laws and regulations are in place to prevent distracted driving and discourage drivers from taking part in anything that may distract them while they are on the road. Many states have laws against texting or using a smartphone while driving, which aim to reduce the number of distracted drivers on the road and ensure that it is as safe as possible. Some states have made it mandatory to use hands-free kits for making calls while driving.

In addition to this, education and awareness campaigns are in place to prevent distracted driving. Driver’s education classes, educating school students, and public awareness campaigns are another way to prevent distracted driving by educating drivers about what distracted driving is, how to avoid it, and on the importance of staying focused when behind the wheel.

At Karns & Karns Personal Injury and Accident Attorneys, we understand how distressing it can be to be involved in an accident with a distracted driver. If a distracted driver has collided with you on the road, it can lead to a far-reaching range of effects including vehicle damage, physical injury, emotional trauma and financial trouble. Ultimately, you deserve to be compensated for what you have been through.

The aftermath of being hit by a distracted driver can be tough. We’re here to help. Get in touch today to discuss your case and what we can do to help ensure you are compensated. Call us at 877-557-4221.