Aldrich Law Firm, Ltd.
Aldrich Law Firm, Ltd.

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Good People Deserve Good Lawyers. ®

Using cell while driving causes inattention blindness, study says

It’s no secret that using a cell phone while driving can cause serious injury; however, Las Vegas motorists continue to do so. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration indicated that in 2012 the country saw over 3,300 deaths that were the cause of distracted driving, with approximately 28,000 injuries related to the same in 2011.

According to a recent report by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, over 40 percent of drivers ages 19 to 39 admitted to texting and driving, some of them on a regular basis. On the other hand, approximately 1 percent of motorists above 75 years old admit to engaging in this dangerous activity.

Sources explain that the biggest issue with these distractions is that drivers who have focused their attention on their smartphone instead of driving will have a delayed reaction when they come upon roadway hazards. The AAA study has dubbed this “inattention blindness.”

However, the issue of distractions behind the wheel is not just about texting and driving. Talking on your phone while driving can also be dangerous, yet 67 percent surveyed admitted to doing so. In fact, the study points out that even a voice-activated device, which is meant to help drivers safely communicate with others, is the most mentally distracting.

Those who are injured at the hands of a distracted driver should seek the medical attention that they need and then discuss the matter with a personal injury attorney. In some instances it may be possible to seek compensation for damages incurred at the hands of a negligent driver.

Source: Macomb Daily News, “Many drivers still ignore warnings about texting, cellphone use,” Ashley Halsey III, Dec. 17, 2013

John P. Aldrich
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