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Distracted Driving Or Drunk Driving Which Is More Dangerous

Driving a motor vehicle safely should take all of our attention. Anything that distracts attention from focusing on the road is a potential hazard. Whether it takes the form of tapping out a quick text message, applying makeup, or any of the other things that people think they can do and still drive, distracted driving poses a danger. Drinking and driving has been a proven hazard since the invention of the automobile, but which of these two activities is the most dangerous and causes the most accidents?

According to the statistics, distracted driving is far and away more dangerous than drunk driving. In a study by the NHTSA (National Highway Safety Administration), texting while driving was shown to be six times more dangerous than driving drunk. The U.S. Department of Transportation statistics report that cell-phone use plays a role in 1.6 million accidents each year. In 2012, distracted driving accidents led to 3,328 fatalities.

Texting while driving among teens is a growing problem that must be addressed, given the fact that car crashes is the leading cause of death for 15-20 year olds. Most teens that die in car crashes, according to the NHTSA, are in a car driven by another teen. The combination of over confidence and inexperience behind the wheel is a deadly one when it comes to the risks teens face when they think they can text and drive safely.

Distracted driving is a driver behavior issue. Adults must set an example for their children by never texting when they are behind the wheel. When their children advance to driving age, parents can enforce strict rules about keeping the cell phone out of sight and out of reach when they are behind the wheel.

All of these statistics really don’t mean a thing if they do not cause people to change their behavior. People text and drive because they think that they are the exception. They are confident in their ability to split their attention between the shiny screen in their hands and navigating the roads in a 2-ton motor vehicle.

Despite the best efforts of all of the public service announcements and the laws on the books banning handheld cell phone use in California, there are thousands of accidents each year where innocent people are injured in accidents caused by a distracted driver. Survivors of distracted driving car accidents have the right to compensation for their injuries, property damage and other losses.

If you have been injured in a car accident due to the negligence of a distracted driver, you most likely have a lot of questions about what to do next. A meeting with an experienced personal injury attorney will not cost you anything, and they will advise you about pursuing a claim. Patterson Lawis a small firm that offers personalized attention, and we have the experience to get the compensation you deserve. Contact our firm online or call us at 888-479-4589 today for a free initial consultation.