Distracted driving might not rank high on people’s lists of dangerous behaviors on the road, but that might be due to a lack of awareness. Not everyone realizes how hazardous distracted driving is or how many accidents it causes on Georgia roads. Hopefully, the arrival of “Distracted Driving Awareness Month” could change perceptions.
Shining a spotlight on distracted driving
April marks the month when concerned parties attempt to raise awareness about how deadly distracted driving is. 2019 saw the death of 3,142 people in distracted driving incidents, an increase over the number of fatalities in 2018. Without taking steps to inform the public about distracted driving, people may continue engaging in terrible habits that put others at risk.
Texting or talking on the phone while driving could prove incredibly regrettable. The same might be true of eating, drinking, conversing with passengers, or becoming engrossed in an entertainment system. Anything that takes the eyes, ears, and hands away from where they belong increases an accident’s chances.
Assumptions that a “mere” two or three-second distraction is no big deal might be misguided. Even slight distractions could be enough to cause an accident. A month dedicated to increased awareness might address such misconceptions.
Learning about distractions
Advancement in technology, while welcome, may increase distractions behind the wheel. Advanced and oversized touchscreens may become selling points with newer vehicles, but they could compete with the road for a driver’s attention. As advanced technology becomes more commonplace in all cars, owners might not see the dangers. Awareness campaigns might call attention to hazards.
Learning about dangers is one thing. Taking steps to prevent them is another. Unfortunately, some drivers will continue to embrace distractions
Distracted driving may reflect negligence, and a personal injury suit may follow an accident. Persons injured in a vehicle collision might choose to contact an attorney to discuss legal options.