Distracted driving has become one of the most common causes of car crashes in the United States over the last several years, particularly with the increased reliance on cell phones. But drivers don’t need a cell phone to be distracted behind the wheel. Distracted driving is defined by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration as any activity that has the potential to “divert a person’s attention away from the task of driving.”
According to the NHTSA, in 2012 more than 420,000 people suffered injuries in car crashes that were the direct result of a distracted driver. That is an increase of 9 percent over the previous year and the figures continue to rise.
Some of the most common kinds of distractions that people encounter while driving include, putting on make up or combing hair, talking or texting on a cell phone or using the phone to read maps or a navigation system and even changing the music or radio station.
When driving it is essential to concentrate fully on the road and other road users to avoid an accident and improve response times if necessary.
If you were involved in an accident, please call the Poughkeepsie accident attorneys of Denlea & Carton LLP., at (914) 331-0100 right away or contact us online today.