According to studies, sending or reading a text message while driving is almost as dangerous as driving drunk. We aren’t surprised. To drive safely, motorists must give the task their undivided attention while keeping both hands on the wheel and both eyes on the road. Unfortunately, texting makes all of this impossible. Sadly, many people can’t put the phone down for even a half hour or simply pull off the road and send a message while parked.
Forbes recently published an article containing the latest statistics on texting and driving in the United States. What they found is disturbing.
Tens of Thousands Injured
According to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) data in 2020, cell phone use contributed to:
- 9% of distracted driving accidents, totaling about 50,000 collisions
- 9% of distracted driving accidents caused an injury, totaling roughly 30,000 collisions
- 13% of fatal distracted driving collisions
These numbers are alarming. Roughly 30,000 people are injured by texting and driving motorists. If we could eliminate that distraction, we could easily improve public safety.
A closer look at texting and driving fatalities showed:
- 396 people died in 2020 as a direct result of texting-and-driving collisions
- 430 people died in 2019 in fatal accidents caused by texting
- 566 non-motorists (like pedestrians and cyclists) were killed by distracted drivers, some of whom were texting
What is Kentucky Doing to Improve Safety?
Kentucky has attempted to crack down on texting and driving by passing a law, found at Kentucky Revised Statutes § 189.292. This law makes it illegal to text and drive. A different law prevents those under 18 from using a personal communication device at all, including talking on the phone.
These laws are a good start at reducing distracted driving, but the state should go further. In fact, we would go so far as to say even hands-free devices should be banned. Cell phones do more than take your eyes off the road. They also cause cognitive distraction. As you think about the message you read, you probably are not thinking about what is going on in front of you—often with fatal results. For this reason, no one driving should be having a conversation on an electronic device.
We Can Help Injured Motorists
If a texting driver struck you, we can advocate for compensation. Regardless of what the criminal law says, anyone texting and driving is acting negligently, which makes them liable for their accident injuries. We can seek compensation for medical care, lost income, damage to your car, and pain and suffering, among other losses.
Many drivers will deny they were texting in the seconds leading up to a crash. But as seasoned lawyers, we know how to get evidence that will show they were using their phones. This evidence makes all the difference in the world when it comes time to seek compensation.
Contact Us to Get Started
Noakes Law has an impressive track record advocating for car accident victims, including those injured by distracted drivers. Pick up your phone today and call us to schedule a time to meet.