Alarming Statistics of Texting & Driving
It may seem like an inconsequential moment: the instant your phone chimes, you might check it briefly for what the notification was about. Whether it’s mounted or sitting on the seat beside you, your thought may be: What real harm could there be in checking a text here and there? The truth is, texting while driving is one of the most dangerous things you can do as a driver. This offense isn’t restricted to a certain demographic, either – Americans of all ages and backgrounds text and drive, and the habit shows no signs of stopping. This is just the tip of the iceberg for texting and driving statistics that are on a constant increase.
What Kinds of Drivers Text and Drive?
There is no certain characteristic, age, income bracket, or any other factor that is specifically correlated with an individual’s inclination to text and drive. Research has shown that 69% of American drivers between the ages of 18 and 64 text while they are behind the wheel. That means 7 out of every 10 drivers you come across on the road are paying more attention to their mobile device than the vehicle they are operating. It is a terrifying realization to learn that most of the drivers on the road aren’t focused on basic road safety!
Death as a Consequence of Texting and Driving
If you’re not looking at the road, you’re not driving safely – it’s that simple. Because so many people are too engaged in social media, emails, and other mobile communications, the risk of collision is drastically increased.
According to the Association for Safe International Road Travel, injuries from auto accidents are the leading cause of death for people between the ages of 5-29 – 25% of these collisions are caused by the negligence that results from texting and driving. This dangerous habit puts you at 23 times greater of a risk to become involved in a car crash, (for teenagers, the chances are increased by 400%), so, for the sake of yours and your loved ones’ lives, it is best to save the text conversations for later.
Texting and Driving vs. Drunk Driving
People who text while they are behind the wheel have recently been found to be even more dangerous than drunk drivers when out on the road. Texting and driving causes 6 times more car accidents than drunk driving – though, this isn’t to say that one is safer than the other. Both habits have massive death and injury tolls.
Texting and driving causes:
- An annual average of 421,000 injuries
- About 1,600 teenage deaths (an average of 11 teenagers per day)
- About 330,000 incidents that resulted in critical and/or life-threatening injuries
The brief text is never worth it. Texting and driving is one of the most deadly habits that drivers just can’t seem to shake. If you have become injured in a car accident due to negligence as a result of texting and driving, you are entitled to compensation for your injuries.
Contact an accident attorney today, and they will guide you through your recovery and gather all the evidence you need to prove the negligence of the other party and gain the financial assistance you need to heal.
