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Look Up!
WHAT IS DISTRACTED DRIVING?
While the term “distracted driving” has become synonymous with texting while driving, distracted driving really means anything that takes a driver’s attention away from the task of driving. The definition really is as simple as that.
There are four types of driver distraction:
- Visual – looking at something other than the road;
- Auditory – hearing something not related to driving;
- Manual – manipulating something other than the steering wheel;
- Cognitive – thinking about something other than driving.
According to the National Highway Transportation and Safety Administration, distracted driving causes about 3,000 deaths per year : 3,142 deaths in 2019, 2,628 deaths in 2018 and 3,003 deaths in 2017. Additionally, distracted driving causes about 280,000 injuries per year: 276,000 injuries in 2018, 285,000 injuries in 2017 and 295,000 injuries in 2016.
WHAT DEMOGRAPHIC IS MOST AFFECTED BY DISTRACTED DRIVING?
According to the Centers for Disease Control:
- About 1 in 5 of the people who died in crashes involving a distracted driver in 2018 were not in vehicles-they were walking, riding their bikes, or otherwise outside a vehicle.
- In the U.S. in 2018:
- Twenty-five percent of the distracted drivers involved in fatal crashes were young adults aged 20–29.
- Drivers aged 15-19 were more likely to be distracted than drivers aged 20 and older, among drivers in crashes where someone died. Among these drivers, eight percent of drivers aged 15 to 19 were distracted at the time of the crash.
- Nine percent of all teens who died in motor vehicle crashes were killed in crashes that involved distracted driving.
DO LOOK UP!
We’ve all seen them: the pedestrians and even the cyclists with their heads down, lost in their phones as they cross a street without looking up. We slam on the brakes just in time to avoid hitting these oblivious people, thankful that a tragedy has been averted and then angry that we came so close to an accident that should never happen. Distracted walking injuries from texting while walking are so common that the term “pedextrian” has been coined to refer to pedestrians who text while walking.
Pedestrian distraction is an increasing problem in towns and cities around the world. Researchers from the University of Calgary in Canada found that “[g]iven the ubiquity of smartphones, social media, apps, digital video and streaming music, which has infiltrated most aspects of daily life, distracted walking and street crossing will be a road safety issue for the foreseeable future.” Around 270,000 pedestrians die every year globally, making up about a fifth of all road traffic deaths.
HEAD UP, PHONE DOWN
Follow these tips to stay safe as a pedestrian:
- Whenever possible, walk on the sidewalk; if no sidewalk is available, walk facing traffic
- Follow the rules of the road, obeying all traffic signs and signals
- Cross streets at crosswalks
- If no crosswalk is available and your view is blocked, move to a place where you can see oncoming traffic
- Look left, right and left again before crossing the street, making eye contact with drivers of oncoming vehicles to make sure they see you
- Stay alert – avoid cell phone use and wearing earbuds
- Avoid alcohol and drug impairment when walking
- Wear bright and/or reflective clothing, and use a flashlight at night
- Watch for cars entering or exiting driveways or backing up in parking lots
- Children younger than 10 should cross the street with an adult
When driving or walking, being distracted can result in an accident, injuries, and even losing your life. Pay attention to the road and the task at hand.
CONTACT YOUR ATTORNEY
If you or someone you know is injured in an accident, contact Dave Thomas at The Thomas Law Firm for a free consultation regarding your legal rights.
How Can You Get in Touch?
If you want to set up a free, no-obligation consultation, call us at
678-264-8348 or contact us online. We will be happy to meet with you.
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