Driving While Using A Cell Phone Results in Serious Accidents
More and more often automobile and pedestrian accidents are the result of motorists being distracted because of cell phone usage. A recent study revealed that cell phone accidents caused over 2,600 motor vehicle related deaths a year and more than 330,000 injuries. It has been established that use of a cell phone while driving substantially decreases reaction times. Even when a hands free headset is used, drivers are still distracted. Researchers found that the amount of brain activity devoted to driving may decrease by as much as 37 percent when using a cell phone.
Use of a cell phone while driving, for talking or texting, creates as much of a danger as driving drunk or on drugs. One study concluded that a driver using a cell phone is impaired to the same degree as a driver with a blood-alcohol content of .08 percent, the legal limit in most states. Another study concluded that the risk of getting into an accident increases 20 times when the driver is texting on a cell phone.
Laws Regulate Cell Phone use while Driving
New York was the first state to ban the use of cell phones while driving except when a hands-free device is used. Thereafter, other states enacted their own cell phone bans. Today most states regulate the use of cell phones for some drivers. Many states have also enacted laws aimed at preventing accidents caused by cell phone texting.
Pedestrians are also vulnerable to cell phone accidents and texting accidents since a distracted driver may hit them or because the pedestrian may be talking or texting and walk into the path of an oncoming vehicle.
Drivers and pedestrians must use far more common sense to avoid the risks and dangers of cell phone accidents.
If you or a family member or friend has been injured due to another person’s negligence while using a cell phone or texting, please contact a personal injury attorney at the Finz firm today at (855) TOP-FIRM to speak with an experienced attorney now or fill out the Free Case Evaluation form.
