The role of driver distraction in car accidents
According to the results of a research study conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, driver distraction poses a serious – and sometimes fatal – danger to other motorists.
In 2008, 5,870 people were killed in accidents involving driver distraction. An additional 515,000 people were injured. These numbers, say the NHTSA, may actually be even higher as it is difficult for law enforcement officers to know if driver distraction played a role in an accident.
Types of driver distraction considered in the study include:
- Eating
- Drinking
- Texting
- Talking on the phone
- Conversing with passengers
- Using in-vehicle technology and portable electronic devices, such as GPS navigators
- Daydreaming
- Dealing with strong emotions
The NHTSA study uncovered the following statistics:
- Driver distraction was reported to have been a factor in 16% of all fatal car accidents in 2008.
- Driver distraction was reported to have been a factor in 21% of all injury crashes in 2008.
- The under-20 age group is the age group with the greatest proportion of distracted drivers.
If you or someone you love was injured in a car accident caused by a distracted driver, contact the Texas personal injury lawyers of Fears | Nachawati today. To receive free legal advice from a Texas personal injury attorney, simply email us or phone us toll free at 1.866.705.7584.
