Distracted driving and how to avoid it
With the advent of smartphones and in-vehicle technology, few people need to be told that distracted driving is a rising trend, but what’s important to remember is how widespread it is. Drivers in Texas, as anywhere else, are expected to maintain control of their vehicles at all times, and anything that keeps them from doing this, from phone use to eating and drinking, can be considered a distraction.
There were 3,166 fatalities arising from distracted driving crashes in 2017 according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. To protect themselves and others on the road, drivers will want to eliminate as many distractions as possible. It all starts with the phone; even hands-free devices can be distracting.
Drivers may want to think twice about eating their breakfast during their morning commute. In fact, a no-eating policy for all vehicle occupants may be a sound idea. Next, drivers can limit the number of passengers they take on to keep distracting conversations to a minimum.
If drivers get less than the recommended seven hours of sleep, they risk becoming drowsy on the road. Drowsiness leads to inattention and even memory lapses, so those who cannot avoid driving should consider a 20-minute nap on the side of the road before continuing any further.
Those who fail to eliminate distractions will likely cause an accident, and they should be the ones held responsible for it. Those on the other side may pursue a personal injury case, but they might want a lawyer to evaluate their case first. Ideally, the case may end in a fair settlement achieved out of court, but if negotiations fail, victims might choose to proceed to litigation. Call Husain Law for assistance today.
