Distracted drivers endanger not only themselves, but also occupants of other vehicles on the road and pedestrians on the sidewalk. With the rising popularity of smartphones, the problem only continues to get worse.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), drivers who use hand-held devices are four times more likely to get into serious crashes. In 2010, 18 percent of crashes with injuries were reported as distraction-related crashes — 3,267 people were killed in crashes involving a distracted driver. In 2011, that figure rose to 3,331 people killed.
The problem is especially apparent when it comes to the habits of teen drivers. Compounding the fact that young drivers have less experience on the road, recent studies haves shown that almost seven in ten young drivers text while driving. Perhaps even more startling is that, despite the obvious dangers of such behavior, Internet use while driving has jumped from 43 percent to 48 percent. Distracted driving include activities these and many other activities:
- Talking on a cell phone or smart phone
- Interacting with passengers
- Texting
- Using the Internet
- Grooming and/or applying makeup
- Using a GPS navigation system
- Adjusting a CD player, MP3 player, or radio
If you were the victim of a distracted driver who was negligently engaging in any of these activities, you deserve to be compensated for your injuries. Experienced Oklahoma personal injury attorneys can provide the experienced legal guidance you need after suffering injuries in an automobile accident. Contact us today!