Distracted driving claimed more than 3100 lives in 2019 alone, and it’s one of the main reasons why severe car accidents are happening almost every day. When you’re texting someone while driving, you take your eyes off the road, and that can be very dangerous. Even if you are not careful for 5 seconds at 55mph, that means you are traveling the length of a football field without even looking. That can be very dangerous, and it’s easy to see why it’s imperative to not text while driving or perform any other distractive task.

Who is more likely to text while driving?

According to the FCC, around 400000 people are injured during car accidents every year. That goes to show how problematic texting while driving can actually be. With that being said, the age category that’s prone to texting while on the road are drivers between 16 and 24 years old. They are the ones that are always on their phone and want to reply as quickly as possible.

Types of distracted driving

There are 3 main types of distracted driving. First, you have visual distractions like texting where you end up taking your eyes off the road, even for a few seconds. Manual distractions are those when you take your hands off the steering wheel. It can happen when you want to write something or anything like that.
Of course, there are cognitive reasons too. Even if you are with the hands on your steering wheel, you’re thinking about something else. This also leads to many issues and potential accidents. When you’re driving, you want to focus on what’s in front of you. Any distractions can lead to injuries or even casualties.

Other risks related to texting while driving

Aside from being prone to car accidents, texting on the road can also lead to expensive car repairs. Many times, car accidents can lead to extensive, complex repairs and because of that insurance prices go up. Also, in many states, driving and texting at the same time is illegal. So you can encounter legal problems and receive a fine/ticket.

What can you do?

The best way to prevent texting and driving is to maintain focus on the road. If you need to answer a text, then pull to the side of the road and stop the vehicle. Handle all the texting or calls this way, and only when you finish those you can get back on the road. Using this approach and having a safety-focused mindset is important if you want to prevent any problems while driving, so try to keep that in mind.

Conclusion

Texting while driving is very dangerous, so it’s extremely important to avoid doing this at any time. Additionally, you want to stay away from other distractions too, such as thinking about other stuff or writing something as you drive. All of these things are very problematic, dangerous, and they can bring in front amazing benefits. We recommend taking your time and establishing a safety-first approach when it comes to driving. Stop texting or calling others while driving, this removes some or most of your focus, and that’s one of the leading causes of car accidents. If you have been in a car accident from texting, please contact us Jaime Alvarado & Associates at 915.852.0500