While there isn’t a national ban on texting and driving, there could be deadly consequences if you choose text behind the wheel. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported that, in 2015, 3,477 people were killed and around 391,000 people were hurt in crashes resulting from distracted drivers.
It’s believed that around 660,000 drivers use cellphones or electronic devices while they are driving every day. That’s a high number of people on the roads who simply aren’t paying attention. Although the consequences of texting and driving are unintended, they still have the potential to lead to injuries or fatalities.
If you have a new driver in your home, how can you help prevent distracted driving crashes?
To start with, make sure you give clear instructions on what your teen may or may not do behind the wheel. Before you allow your teen to get a license, talk about the reality of distracted driving and the consequences that can result. As a parent, you should lead by example and never text and drive. Even if you just text and drive for a few seconds, it could be enough to cause a collision. You could end up hurting yourself or others.
Finally, do what you can to stay informed. There are real legal repercussions to driving while distracted. If you stay up-to-date on current laws, it will help you better understand why not driving distracted is so important for maintaining your driving privileges.
If you are hit by someone who drives while distracted, you maintain the right to pursue a claim for compensation. No driver should be so distracted that they cause a collision.