Although car accident fatalities have been declining in the United States, driver errors still contribute to thousands of deadly crashes every year. According to Distraction.gov, the official U.S. government website for distracted driving, more than 3,000 people lost their lives in these accidents in 2014.
Driver distractions take many forms. Some of the most common include:
- Drinking and eating;
- Daydreaming;
- Loud passengers;
- Observing events outside the vehicle;
- Reaching for objects in the vehicle;
- Using a cell phone;
- Changing audio and climate controls;
- And smoking.
Fortunately, there are steps you can take to avoid distracted-driving crashes. The next time you get behind the wheel, keep these tips in mind:
- Keep your distance from other drivers who appear distracted;
- Put your cell phone in the glove box before you start the engine;
- If you are a new driver, do not carry passengers;
- And do not eat or drink behind the wheel.
If you were injured by a distracted driver in Georgia, contact the Crosson Law Group, LLC. As a truck accident lawyer in Marietta, Ken Crosson can help you pursue compensation for medical bills, lost income and other damages.
Our office is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Schedule a free initial consultation today by calling 678-909-0770.
Read on to learn four ways to prevent distracted-driving accidents:
- Keep your distance from other drivers who appear distracted.
Even the safest drivers cannot control the actions of other motorists. However, you may be able to prevent a crash by avoiding drivers who appear distracted. Common signs include:
- Not maintaining a straight trajectory;
- Stopping for an excessive amount of time at a stop sign or intersection;
- Wearing headphones;
- Looking down;
- And braking suddenly.
- Put your cell phone in the glove box before you start the engine.
Sending an email or text, talking, and surfing the Web on your cell phone can distract you long enough to cause an accident. Instead of taking the risk, put your phone in the glove box before you start the engine, or turn it off.
- If you are a new driver, do not carry passengers.
Many people underestimate how distracting passengers can be. This is why Georgia laws limit the number of passengers that new drivers can carry.
During your first six months as a licensed driver, you can only transport immediate family members. During your second six months, you can carry one passenger younger than 21 who is not an immediate family member. These regulations minimize the risk of distracted-driving accidents due to loud or misbehaving passengers.
- Do not eat or drink behind the wheel.
Marietta has plenty of on-the-go dining options, but it is never a good idea to eat or drink behind the wheel. This will distract you visually and physically, so you will be less likely to notice and react to unexpected hazards.
If you were injured by a negligent driver, contact the Crosson Law Group, LLC. Ken Crosson is a Marietta car wreck attorney who can help you navigate the claims process. Call 678-909-0770 today to schedule a free initial consultation.