What is distracted driving? According to Distraction.gov, the official U.S. government website for distracted driving, “Distracted driving is any activity that could divert a person’s attention away from the primary task of driving. All distractions endanger driver, passenger, and bystander safety. These types of distractions include:
- Texting
- Using a cell phone or smartphone
- Eating and drinking
- Talking to passengers
- Grooming
- Reading, including maps
- Using a navigation system
- Watching a video
- Adjusting a radio, CD player, or MP3 player”
With technology that is constantly growing and evolving, many drivers place themselves in dangerous positions every day by driving while distracted. In fact, according to the site, “At any given daylight moment across America, approximately 660,000 drivers are using cell phones or manipulating electronic devices while driving, a number that has held steady since 2010.” This means that despite the widespread knowledge that using a cell phone while driving is dangerous, people still do it every day. This results in a huge number of injuries and deaths every year.
To see some of the alarming statistics involving distracted driving, visit www.distraction.gov, and remember that if you or someone you know has been harmed by a distracted driver, Pellerin Law Firm is here to help.