Distracted driving is something that is becoming more and more apparent on the roads these days, whether it’s someone who is texting while driving or someone who is doing a task as simple as changing a song on their phone. Technology makes it harder for individuals of all ages to focus on the road — in fact, according to stats from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, about 3,450 deaths occured in 2016 nationwide from distracted driving alone.

Distracted driving is an issue that we should all keep at the forefront of our minds to avoid getting into car accidents. But not everybody will follow the rules, which is why you should reach out to a personal injury attorney if you get into a collision at the fault of a distracted driver. You shouldn’t have to suffer at the fault of another person, and we truly believe that sentiment here at The Edwards Law Firm. 

If you or a loved one was injured by someone who was driving while distracted, reach out to our auto accident attorneys in Tulsa at The Edwards Law Firm. We can provide you with the legal assistance you need, and our team will fight tirelessly to ensure you receive the financial justice you deserve. Contact us today to get started with a free case assessment.

What Is Distracted Driving?

So, what exactly is distracted driving? Simply put, distracted driving is when a driver diverts their attention to any activity that takes away their attention from driving safely on the road. There are three main types of distracted driving include visual tasks, manual tasks and cognitive tasks.

A few examples of activities that cause distracted driving include the following:

  • Talking/texting on the phone.
  • Eating and drinking.
  • Talking to other individuals in the vehicle.
  • Messing with your stereo or music on your phone.
  • An entertainment or navigation system.
  • And more!

The most common distraction these days? Texting, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

“Sending or reading a text takes your eyes off the road for 5 seconds. At 55 mph, that’s like driving the length of an entire football field with your eyes closed.

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Important Stats To Keep In Mind

Even though we all know driving while distracted is dangerous, a lot of drivers brush this fact by the wayside and choose to drive distracted anyways.

Here are some stats you should keep in mind before driving while distracted that will help remind you how hazardous distracted driving can be. Keep in mind, a lot of these numbers might not be directly on point since a lot of distracted driving accidents are widely believed to be under-reported.

Quick Facts About Distracted Driving

  • Distracted driving accounts for about 25 percent of all deaths related to car accidents.
  • About nine people in the U.S. are killed daily due to car accidents by distracted drivers, according to the Department of Motor Vehicles.
  • According to the National Safety Council, cell phone use while driving results in 1.6 million car accidents each year.
  • About 660,000 drivers use their cell phone while driving during the daytime.
  • About 80 percent of drivers admitted to driving while grooming, changing clothes, steering with a foot and other hazardous tasks.
  • 77 percent of adults and 55 percent of teenagers said they believe they could easily text while driving.
  • About 391,000 were injured in car crashes due to distracted driving in 2015.
  • Teenagers are the largest age group reported as distracted during most fatal crashes. In fact, according to a poll conducted by AAA, 94 percent of teen drivers said they understand the dangers of texting while driving, but 35 percent said they do it anyway.
  • Texting while driving is six times more likely to result in a car accident than drunk driving.
  • 47 states, including Oklahoma, have implemented a texting and driving ban.

As they say: Knowledge is power. We encourage everyone to drive on the roads safely and securely and to avoid driving while distracted. It can wait until you arrive at your destination, and in worst case scenarios, you can pull over on the side of the road.

For advice on defensive driving tips from our Tulsa personal injury lawyers, check out this blog post for more information.

Contact Our Auto Accident Attorneys For Legal Help

Have you recently been injured in a car accident at the fault of a distracted driver? Let our auto accident attorneys in Tulsa assess your case and see if you have what is necessary for a successful personal injury claim.

At The Edwards Law Firm, our team of experienced personal injury lawyers know how much your life is affected after a car accident, and we will fight to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve — we’ve helped win millions for previous clients.

Contact us today to schedule your free, no-obligation case assessment. You can reach us by calling (918) 221-0516 or by filling out our form online.