Recently, the National Transportation Safety board reported that distracted driving made the Top 10 Most Wanted List. This list refers to the most common and preventable accidents that cause numerous deaths each year. To uncover the information, NTSB performed 11 different investigations in 2003. The association found that an unacceptable amount of car accidents were caused by or involved drivers using distracting portable electronic devices, such as:
- Tablets
- Laptops
- MP3 players
- E-Readers
- Smartphones, Cell phones
Sadly, these accidents killed 50 passengers and injured an additional 259 people.
How You Can Help Prevent Distracted Driving
When drivers share the road with other persons, they subconsciously trust that other drivers will drive responsibly. However, there are some things drivers can do to help prevent distracted driving accidents. To help, our Las Vegas car accident lawyers have listed some helpful tips:
1. Keep Your Cell Phone in the Backseat or in a Pursue in the Backseat
Sometimes, it is easy to check your cellphone when you are able to see the screen light up as you get notifications. By keeping it in the backseat, you will not see the screen light up or be tempted to check for texts or answer calls.
2. Keep Your Cellphone on Silent-Mode
When the phone rings, a person’s natural reaction may be to answer it. By keeping your phone on silent while you are commuting, you may be less tempted to check texts or answer calls.
3. Talk to Children About Why Texting and Driving is Dangerous
Unfortunately, many car accidents are caused by young persons who text and drive. For this reason, it is important for parents to speak to their children about safe driving habits. Some cellphone apps even allow you to disable text messaging while the vehicle is in motion.
Distracted Driving Statistics in Nevada
Distracted driving is a serious problem on the roads of Nevada. In 2015, the Nevada Department of Public Safety reported that distracted driving contributed to 18,000 vehicle accidents in the state, resulting in nearly 10,000 injuries and 79 fatalities. Of these 79 deaths, 31 were caused by drivers using a cellphone while operating a motor vehicle. This accounted for nearly 40% of the total distracted driving fatalities in Nevada that year.
In response to these alarming statistics, the Nevada Department of Public Safety has created a number of initiatives aimed at reducing distracted driving on the state’s roads. These initiatives include public service announcements, increased law enforcement presence, and educational outreach programs about the dangers of distracted driving.
United State Distracted Driving Statistics
In 2015, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported that 3,477 people were killed and an additional 391,000 injured in motor vehicle crashes involving distracted drivers. That year, 10% of all fatal crashes and 15% of all injury crashes involved distracted drivers. In terms of age-specific analysis, the NHTSA found that the highest percentage of distracted drivers involved in fatal crashes were between the ages of 15-19.
The NHTSA estimates that 660,000 drivers are using their cellphones while driving during daylight hours on any given day. Moreover, an estimated 16% of all fatal crashes involving teen drivers (ages 15-19) were caused by distracted driving—the highest rate among any age group.
To combat the problem of distracted driving, the NHTSA has launched a number of safety campaigns, including “U Drive. U Text. U Pay.” and “Phone in One Hand. Ticket in the Other.” These campaigns are designed to raise awareness about the dangers of distracted driving and to encourage drivers to make safer choices while on the road.
In 2018, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) released their annual “Most Wanted List” of transportation safety improvements. Included on this list was a call to eliminate distracted driving as a leading cause of motor vehicle accidents. The NTSB recommended that all states should adopt and enforce laws prohibiting the use of handheld devices while driving, along with improved driver education programs that focus on the risks of distracted driving. The NTSB also urged the federal government to create an automated system that would detect, alert and intervene when drivers are distracted.
Injured in a Vehicle Collision? We Can Help
If you or someone you love was harmed in a car accident caused by a distracted driver or any other type of negligent driver, contact our Las Vegas car accident attorneys right away. At Shook & Stone, our team is devoted to defending the rights and futures of the injured. When you call, we can take the time to understand your case and do everything in our power to obtain positive results for you. We know injuries can make the simplest everyday duties challenging. That is why we are ready to fight for you.
References:
Distracted Driving – Injury Facts. (n.d.). Injury Facts. https://injuryfacts.nsc.org/motor-vehicle/motor-vehicle-safety-issues/distracted-driving/
Contact Shook & Stone today, and put our highly-skilled and experienced team on your side of the courtroom!
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