What do you think of when the topic of distracted driving enters a conversation? Maybe you think its blow out of proportion. Perhaps you think the campaigns to curb distracted driving should be pursued with more vigor, or you may think that the current restrictions are doing enough to curb habits, and you will be proven right in the coming years.
In many states, including Oklahoma, texting while driving is illegal, but Oklahoma drivers, other than commercial drivers and public transit drivers, can talk on their handheld devices while driving. Commercial and public transit drivers who rely on their phones to speak with law enforcement or other emergency personnel are exempt from the law.
Text messaging bans are a real deal (48 states ban texting and driving) and for good reason. Only Montana and Missouri do not have a texting ban for all drivers. More often than not, the end result of a crash when looking at one’s cell phone is not pretty.
Whether you despise texting and driving or you are a driver who occasionally or habitually takes part in using your phone, the following facts may open your eyes.
- When driving at a speed of 55 mph, your vehicle will travel 120 yards (the length of a football field, end zones included) in five seconds.
- The average amount of time a driver takes their eyes off the road when reading or responding to a text or email? Five seconds.
- The average amount of time it takes for a crash to occur after taking your eyes off the road? Three seconds.
- 25% of all car accidents in the United States are caused by a cell-phone using distracted drivers.
- The chances of getting in a car wreck increase by 23 times when texting while behind the wheel.
- Drivers are 2.2 times more likely to get in a car crash while talking on the phone.
The figure that sticks out more than any other is the “23-time increase” in the possibility of a crash when texting and driving. That is a significant number. Even with public knowledge available and readily distributed surrounding the dangers of texting and driving, many people (77% of adults and 55% of teens) believe they can simultaneously texting while driving.
A personal injury caused by a car wreck can have life-changing implications. Don’t underestimate the power of representation from a personal injury attorney.
