Distracted Drivers A Factor In South Carolina Automobile Accidents

Distracted Drivers A Factor In South Carolina Automobile Accidents

Charleston accident attorneys at Howell Law are concerned about the increasingly serious problem of distracted driving which has become especially prevalent with the new technological advances of the past decade. Of the 50,000 lives claimed in motor vehicle accidents every year, about 6,000 of them are caused by distracted driving. There are an additional 515,000 drivers and passengers injured each year due to distracted drivers. Distractions such as talking on the cell phone, text messaging, drinking, eating, and playing with the radio, can all be very dangerous and jeopardize the safety of the driver and others.

The first Distracted Driving Summit was held recently in Washington, D.C. by the U.S. Department of Transportation. Government officials, automobile industry experts and lawmakers are calling for swift action to help save lives and keep our nation’s roadways safe.

In a recent traffic culture survey conducted by the American Automobile Association’s Foundation for Traffic Safety, almost 100% of drivers agreed that cell phone use while driving is a threat, however a large percentage of those same drivers admitted to continually using hand-held devises while operating a motor vehicle. The survey also revealed that 80% of young drivers, ages 16 to 24, admitted to distracted driving. Members of the summit were alarmed to learn that, according to the survey, many teenagers actually perceive driving itself to be the distraction that gets in the way of their need to continue to communicate with their friends, via cell phone or text messaging, while driving.

Another study revealed that the use of cell phones while driving has increased in every age group, every year for the past six years. The alarming increase in distracted driving continues throughout the country. With a death occurring every 13 minutes on our nation’s highways and roadways from motor vehicle collisions, some sort of action is vital to the safety of our nation’s drivers and passengers. In response, the AAA held the first National Heads Up Driving Week last week, where drivers were willing to refrain from all distractions and keep their “heads up” while driving.

Our South Carolina injury lawyers encourage you to eliminate the use of cell phones and other hand held devices while driving. Just like any other safety precaution you take while driving, giving your full attention to the road may help save your life and the lives of others.

Souce: Justice News Flash-“Florida Automobile Accident Distracted Drivers Kill” –October 2, 2009.