Every year, distracted driving results in a significant number of people sustaining serious injuries and losing their lives. It is pivotal for drivers to go over data on distracted driving to recognize the scope of this problem as well as the impact of these collisions. On the road, drivers must always focus and avoid anything that could divert their attention.
Sadly, more and more people continue to find themselves involved in devastating crashes because of distracted drivers.
Data shows the impact of distracted driving
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention published unsettling data on distracted driving accidents. According to the CDC, roughly 424,000 people sustained injuries in collisions involving distracted drivers over the course of 2019, and these crashes caused more than 3,100 people to lose their lives. Moreover, people outside of vehicles (such as cyclists and pedestrians) represented 20% of those who died in distracted driving crashes in 2019.
Drivers become distracted for various reasons
Many drivers understand that using a phone behind the wheel can significantly increase the chances of an accident, but some ignore other distractions that can present the same risks. Eating, trying to adjust the volume, reading a map and talking to other passengers in the vehicle can become very distracting and interfere with a driver’s ability to follow traffic safety guidelines.
When a driver diverts their attention from the road, even briefly, they can cause a collision. It is crucial for the victims of distracted driving accidents to hold them answerable and go over the details surrounding the crash.