Updated on: 11/12/2019
Experts in the field of traffic safety have been making some serious claims about texting while driving lately; one being that text messaging behind the wheel is as dangerous as drunk driving. A recent study from 4autoinsurancequote.com shows that using a cell phone while operating a vehicle is not only a dangerous habit, but an expensive one as well.
4autoinsurancequote.com is an auto insurance provider located in the Manhattan, NY area. As the authors of the study, the company found that there has been more than a 100 percent increase in the number of fatal car accidents caused by drivers distracted by a cell phone since 2005. As a result, the company says that mobile phone-related distracted driving led to more than 24,000 car accidents involving serious injuries and more than 1,000 involving a fatality.
“[The researchers] discovered that while texting when driving, drivers are distracting themselves in three different ways,” reads a July 2 news release from the company. “First of all, when drivers remove their hands from the steering wheel to text, their ability to drive safely and react quickly to events on the road is removed. Secondly, drivers become visually distracted as they need to remove their eyes from the road. Lastly, drivers are mentally distracted as their focus shifts from driving to the content of their text message.”
The study also made note of the fact that texting while driving appears to be growing in popularity, despite the fact that many people are aware of the dangers. Data shows that 10 percent of American drivers text behind the wheel on a regular basis, and more than 25 percent of Americans between the ages of 18 and 29 have admitted to texting while driving regularly.
As for the study’s claims about increasing costs, 4autoinsurancequote.com says that insurance companies are becoming more and more aware of the seriousness of texting while driving. As a result, drivers who are issued a citation will see dramatic increases in their car insurance premiums.
Injured in a Distracted Driving Crash
If you were injured in an accident because someone was texting while driving their vehicle, you may be entitled to financial compensation for the injuries you sustained and for the cost of your medical bills. Schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with the distracted driving accident attorneys at Davis Law Group today by calling 206-727-4000.