The Dangers of Distracted Driving

April is distracted driving awareness month.  Did you know that the term “distracted driving” was the 2009 word of the year according to Webster’s Dictionary?  Although that was several years ago, distracted driving in West Virginia continues to be a problem on our highways.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA):

• Drivers who use hand-held devices are four time as likely to be involved in a serious crash.
• In 2012, 3,328 people were killed and approximately 421,000 were injured in motor vehicle collisions involving a distracted driver.
• Nine percent of fatal crashes in 2010 were reported as distraction-affected crashes.
• In 2011, eleven percent of all drivers under the age of 20 involved in fatal crashes were reported as distracted at the time of the crash.
• Drivers under the age of 20 have the largest proportion of drivers who are distracted.

While many people believe they can multitask while driving, the statistics on distracted driving show otherwise.  But still, many people choose this dangerous behavior.  We are now living in a world where people expect instant communication and those expectations don’t stop just because an individual is behind the wheel.

The next time you get behind the wheel, please be aware of the dangers of distracted driving and remember that one text or call could wreck it all.

If you or a loved one has been injured due to an individual’s carelessness and distracted driving, our West Virginia auto accident lawyers can help.  Please contact us to schedule a free consultation with a personal injury lawyer in West Virginia or for more information.