Texting While Driving: More Dangerous Than Drinking and Driving?

We’ve all heard warnings about how dangerous distracted driving is, but most people will admit to picking up our phones to fiddle with a GPS app or read a quick text message. These same people would never dream of getting behind the wheel after drinking at a bar or a party. But according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, texting while driving is the equivalent of having had four beers.

Drivers who text while at the wheel have a 23% higher chance of causing an accident than those not distracted. Like drunk drivers, distracted drivers often follow too closely, weave in and out of traffic and don’t brake in time to prevent collisions.

Drunk driving has been on the forefront of the minds of Americans for years. Advocacy groups like Mothers Against Drunk Driving work tirelessly to spread the message about how reckless – and unnecessary, in the era of Uber and Lyft – it is to drive drunk. But we hear about distracted driving much less often.

As smartphones become bigger and bigger factors in our lives, the risk for distracted driving increases. The NHTSA reports that distracted driving already causes about 25% of all accidents on American roads. Unless we see a major shift culturally, that number is likely to increase. Many states have already made texting while driving illegal, but some advocates say this doesn’t go far enough to prevent accidents.

Parents should talk with their teens about avoiding driving distractedly, but it’s important they set good examples and practice what they preach.

Injured by a Reckless Driver?

If you were injured because of someone else’s negligence, you undoubtedly have many questions about your legal rights. Our Virginia personal injury lawyers can answer your questions and teach you how the legal system can help you. The Law Offices of Richard J. Serpe, PC has helped accident victims for over 33 years. If you’d like a free consultation, give us a call or send us an email 877.544.5323.