Distracted driving is any activity that takes your attention away from driving. It doubles your risk of a car crash, raises your insurance rates, and compromises your ability to drive. It can also affect the safety of passengers, pedestrians, and other drivers. Distracted driving is a huge problem that can be avoided by taking these simple precautions.
It doubles your risk of a crash
Distracted driving is one of the biggest threats to the safety of drivers on the road. According to recent research, taking your eyes off the road for even two seconds increases your crash risk. The risk of an accident doubles when you’re driving with a cell phone in your hand.
According to the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute, drivers who talk or text on their cell phones while driving more than double their risk of a crash. Distracted driving accounts for about a quarter of all fatal crashes. While texting is the most common distraction, the study found that other activities such as reading, writing, reaching for something, and using the dashboard touchscreen increase the risk of an accident.
It increases your insurance costs
Texting while driving is a dangerous habit, and it increases your risk of having an accident, according to a distracted driving accident lawyer. Most states consider texting while driving an act of recklessness and will raise your insurance rates accordingly. Thankfully, there are several ways to curb your tendency to text while driving. To start with, try installing an app that monitors your cell phone usage. This app can also help you earn discounts for safe driving habits.
The National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) has issued guidelines banning drivers from texting while driving. A texting ticket will increase your car insurance rates and can land you in jail. Fines and penalties vary from state to state, so check with your insurance company to see what kind of punishments you might face.
It compromises your driving abilities
Distracted driving occurs when the driver’s attention is diverted from the task of driving. Driving while distracted may impair the driver’s judgment and ability to stay focused on the road. Distracted driving is a major contributor to car accidents. According to research, most collisions are caused by drivers who are distracted by cell phones, text messages, or other forms of distraction.
Distracted driving impairs a driver’s ability to react quickly and avoid danger. It impairs their vision and hearing, compromising their awareness of their surroundings and other drivers. Even a brief glance at the mirrors while driving can reduce the risk of a collision.
It increases your risk of a crash with other people
Studies show that texting while driving increases your risk of a collision with other people by almost two-thirds. This is because it reduces your reaction time and makes you less aware of your surroundings. It also takes you longer to hit the brakes, making you more vulnerable to an accident. Furthermore, drivers who are distracted while driving are less likely to see an accident coming, which can result in catastrophic and fatal results.
The study analyzed the driving habits of people from the United States, ranging in age from 18 to 64. It showed that a quarter of drivers admitted to sending or reading text messages while driving. In addition, it revealed that nearly a fifth of teens admitted to answering text messages while driving. Even more shocking, more than one in five teens and 10% of parents admitted to texting while driving. As a result, text messaging while driving is now illegal for all drivers.
