If you or a loved one have been injured due to distracted driving, check out this article. Texting while driving kills and we can help you.
You put your life and those of strangers at risk every time you try to text while driving. Texting while driving kills.
Distracted Driving Increases Your Risk of Injury
Of all the distracted driving problems, texting is by far the most dangerous. It
increases your risk of a crash by 23 times, regardless of whether you’re reading or sending the message. In comparison, dialing to make a phone call only increases your risk by 2.8 times and talking or listening increases your risk of a crash by 1.3 times.
The reason texting is particularly dangerous is that reading and writing requires greater mental concentration. This pulls your focus from safely operating your vehicle. Each text message takes your attention away from the road for at least five seconds. Assuming you’re driving 55 mph, this is the same as going the entire length of a football field without looking at the road. Even if you tried to increase your following distance to compensate, you’d still be too distracted to react to a safety hazard in time to prevent an accident.
It is no surprise that teens are some of the worst offenders when it comes to texting while driving. 34% of teens admit to texting and driving, with 13% of teens causing a crash due to their behavior. Efforts to educate teens on the dangers of texting while driving have been difficult to implement, with 55% of young drivers claiming that it’s “easy” to safely text and drive.
Idaho law prohibits manual texting while driving. This is a primary law, which means you can be pulled over for a violation even if you’re broken no other traffic laws, and it carries a fine of $81.50.
It is still legal to use voice-operated or hands-free devices to review, prepare, and send text messages. However, Distraction.gov reports that headset cell use is not substantially safer than hand-held use. To protect yourself and those around you, it’s best to send your text messages before you hit the road.
Hepworth Holzer Can Help
Drivers who are texting and cause an accident can be held financially liable for the damages they cause to others. If you or someone you love has been injured by a negligent driver, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical bills and other accident-related expenses. Call (208) 386-9119 or toll-free at (888) 490-0992 to speak with the experienced personal injury attorneys at Holzer Edwards.