From Your Denver Accident Attorney: April is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month
The National Safety Council (NSC) observes April as Distracted Driving Awareness Month to draw attention to the epidemic of distracted driving accidents and deaths. This campaign was prompted by the death of a nine year-old girl who was killed by a distracted driver in 2008. As an auto accident attorney, Denver residents often seek legal advice when such a tragedy occurs to them, and through awareness, we might reduce these incidents.
Distracted driving is rampant, killing hundreds each year. Today it is easier than ever to become distracted behind the wheel, because new technology allows us to make phone calls, dictate texts or emails and update social media while driving – all actions that are proven to increase crash risk.
At any given 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. Distracted driving has become a deadly epidemic on America's roadways.
According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's White Paper, Distracted Driving 2009:
In 2009, 5,474 people were killed on U.S. roadways and an estimated additional 448,000 were injured in motor vehicle crashes that were reported to have involved distracted driving (FARS and GES).
Of those people killed in distracted-driving-related crashes, 995 involved reports of a cell phone as a distraction (18% of fatalities in distraction-related crashes).
Of those injured in distracted-driving-related crashes, 24,000 involved reports of a cell phone as a distraction (5% of injured people in distraction-related crashes).
Sixteen percent of fatal crashes in 2009 involved reports of distracted driving.
Twenty percent of injury crashes in 2009 involved reports of distracted driving.
The age group with the greatest proportion of distracted drivers was the under-20 age group – 16% of all drivers younger than 20 involved in fatal crashes were reported to have been distracted while driving.
Of those drivers involved in fatal crashes who were reportedly distracted, the 30- to 39-year-olds had the highest proportion of cell phone involvement.
The U.S. Department of Transportation is making efforts to stop texting and cell phone use behind the wheel. Since 2009, they have held two national distracted driving summits, banned texting and cell phone use for commercial drivers, encouraged states to adopt tough laws, and launched several campaigns to raise public awareness about the issue.
You can take the Pledge and commit to phone-free driving to join their campaign to stop distracted driving incidents. The life you save could be your own – or your own child's.
Car accident victims often face substantial medical bills, lost wages and strain on their personal relationships. A car accident has the potential to cause severe personal, financial and emotional trauma. It can be very confusing trying to figure out the legalities of the situation. You need someone experienced to take care of the legal matters for you so that you can rest and recover from the accident.
If you or someone you know is injured in an accident with a distracted driver, contact Mark A. Simon. He is your local, go-to, experienced Denver personal injury attorney. Mark has been championing the rights of the injured for more than 22 years. He will personally handle your claim and will walk with you every step of the way – through any needed medical treatment and settlement. He can help you with the complicated legal steps, conduct a thorough investigation, and help obtain all deserved compensation. Contact Mark directly for more information. You can also call the office.