In most states texting while driving is illegal, yet it only takes a short ride down a road to find someone behind the wheel texting. Despite public service advertisements and other means to get the message out about how dangerous it is to text and drive, personal injury lawyers in Las Vegas say that it is still one of the most common causes of accidents in the country. These startling facts should make you rethink the next time you reach for the phone behind the wheel to text someone.
Six Times More Likely to Get in an Accident
According to a study published in Reuters, you are six times more likely to have an accident while texting than a driver who is not texting. The risk is significantly higher than merely talking on a cell phone, although that can also be distracting. Many drivers claim they are “good” at texting and driving, but safety experts say this is equivalent to claiming you are “good” at driving blindfolded. For more about the risks associated with distracted driving, check out our guide on the dangers of texting while driving.
It Takes Five Seconds to Type Out a Text
The average time it takes to send even a short text is around five seconds. If you are driving 55 miles per hour, that means your eyes are off the road for more than 100 yards, the length of a football field. According to the Journal of Adolescent Health, you should not look away from the road for more than two seconds or risk a Las Vegas car accident.
Teens Most at Risk
As many as 11 teenagers die each day due to texting and driving. In addition, teens are 400 percent more likely to get in car accidents in Las Vegas if they are texting. Although 97 percent of teens believe it is dangerous to text and drive, 43 percent of them admit to doing it, according to the Journal of Adolescent Health. A study conducted by the University of Utah found that a teen driver using a cell phone has the reaction time of a 70-year old driver.
Deaths Due to Cell Phone Use
Each year, around 421,000 people are injured by a distracted driver and, in 2014 alone, 520 pedestrians were killed by distracted drivers. Yet, according to a personal injury lawyer in Las Vegas, over 660,000 drivers each day are using cell phones when they drive. Some say it is because Americans have become addicted to their phones and can’t put it down long enough to drive to their destination. This reckless behavior is what often leads to a Las Vegas car accident.
The Solution
One way to avoid car accidents in Las Vegas caused by distracted drivers on cell phones is for drivers to understand just how dangerous texting or using a cell phone can be. One suggestion is to place your cell phone in the back seat where it cannot be seen until you stop the car. This will help create a habit of not looking at your phone while you drive. There are apps available that set your phone on “do not disturb” while you are behind the wheel as well. These apps can send a message to someone who texts or calls to let them know you are driving and will respond when you stop while keeping your phone from notifying you of a call or text while the vehicle is in motion. Hands-free devices are also an option although experts say they can also lead to distraction.
If you or a loved one has been involved in car accidents in Las Vegas caused by a drunk driver, contact The Schnitzer Law Firm today by calling 702-960-4050 or by email at Contact@TheSchnitzerLawFirm.com. You can also fill out the secure form online to chat with one of a personal injury lawyer in Las Vegas who can help you get the compensation you deserve.