Don’t ever make the mistake of thinking that distraction behind the wheel isn’t a threat. When people go on social media, take pictures, watch videos and send text messages, they put everyone in danger. Even if it feels safe to do it for “just a second,” it’s not.
Research has shown that nine people lose their lives every day in crashes that are caused by distraction.
It should come as no surprise that texting is the most dangerous thing that you can do behind the wheel. It’s also one of the most common. We live in a society where people feel compelled to read or answer text messages instantly, no matter what else they are doing. Some are even addicted to their phones. This can be a hard habit to break.
“Texting is the most alarming distraction,” says the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). “Sending or reading a text takes your eyes off the road for 5 seconds. At 55 miles per hour, that’s like driving the length of an entire football field with your eyes closed.”
Long gone are the days when you couldn’t reach someone by phone if they were not at home, and you had to leave a message and hope they returned your call. These days, people expect instant answers and they always want to be in contact with each other. Unfortunately, this mindset is putting everyone in danger and costing people their lives.
Have you lost a loved one in an accident or suffered serious injuries yourself by a distracted driver? If so, make sure you know what legal options you have.
