A recent article out of the New York Times highlights the troubling news that texting while driving is on the rise. New York is actively taking steps to deter and punish distracted drivers more harshly for infractions. Pedestrians are at a particularly high risk due to distracted drivers in and around heavily populated urban and suburban areas. The state is also targeting distracted teen drivers. Gov. Cuomo recently signed a law that promised a four-month license suspension for young or inexperienced drivers who are convicted of texting while driving, with possible revocation for a year following that.
Teens at High Risk for Distracted Driving
Teen drivers are still at a high risk for engaging in distracted behaviors behind the wheel. In fact, 10 percent of all drivers 15 to 19 years old involved in fatal crashes were reported as distracted at the time of the crashes. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that this age group has the largest proportion of drivers who were distracted at the time of their crashes.
Distracted Driving Facts and Statistics
In 2014, 3,179 people died in crashes involving distracted drivers. An estimated 431,000 additional people were injured in distracted driving crashes that year. It’s important to remember than many of these numbers are thought to be widely underreported. We don’t have simple tests like blood alcohol concentration (BAC) tests to determine if somebody was distracted behind the wheel during the time of a crash. After a crash, it often requires diligent investigative work to find out if a driver was engaging in distracted behaviors behind the wheel.
Distracted Driving Accidents in San Francisco
Distracted driving can encompass a wide variety of behaviors too. Just because you’re not texting behind the wheel, that doesn’t mean you’re not engaging in other distracted behaviors. Eating a burger, manipulating GPS technology or even socializing with passengers in the car can be dangerous distractions. Your life can change in a split second, so always ensure you’re watching the road and giving your full attention to the task of driving. If you or somebody you love has been injured in a car accident involving a distracted driver, contact the personal injury attorneys at Alexander Law Group, LLP at 888.777.1776 for a free case consultation.
