We treat our cell phones like children these days. You can’t leave your house without them, they keep you up for much longer than you’d like to remain awake, and they distract you constantly. The problem is that people are choosing cell phones and texting over making responsible, thought-out driving decisions, and accidents are the result of this phone-obsession. Car accident injuries are quite often the result of these distracted driving decisions, leaving families, friends, and loved ones in pieces after a careless decision sparks detrimental consequences.
Distracted Driving Statistics
Here are a few frightening distracted driving statistics that will put the severity of this crime into perspective, showing how dangerous it is to other drivers on the road:
- Distracted driving is a factor in around 4 million motor vehicle accidents in North America alone each year;
- In 2010, 104 collision fatalities were caused by distracted driving in British Columbia alone;
- Distracted drivers are three times more likely than other drivers to be involved in a car accident; and
- International research is revealing that as many as 30% of all car accidents involve distracted drivers.
These statistics show the epidemic that distracted driving is becoming in North America, and it is no surprise that the law now reflects this.
Avoiding Distracted Driving
There are many tips that you can use when you are driving to prevent distractions. It’s important to concentrate on the road and eliminate all distractions before making long trips. Here are a few suggestions:
- Give yourself more time before travelling;
- Plan your route out before you leave;
- Keep your vehicle neat;
- Loose objects should be put away;
- Secure your pets in the car;
- Let any phone calls go to voicemail;
- Keep two hands on the steering wheel; and
- Do not eat, apply makeup, or use any hand-held device.
These tips will save you and other drivers on the road from ever getting into a serious car accident and sustaining car accident injuries to begin with. It takes only a few minutes to clean up your car and stay organized before you begin your long drive. These minutes will save lives and allow you to take responsibility as a driver.
Hiring a Toronto Personal Injury Lawyer
A Toronto personal injury lawyer will ensure that a distracted driver is found at-fault if a serious car accident involving car accident injuries occurs. You need evidence to back-up your claims to the insurance company, and a lawyer will make certain that you have a strong case before filing your claims. Toronto personal injury lawyers will also deal with your insurance company directly, so that you don’t have to deal with the unneeded stress in your recovery.
It can seem like the most minuscule problem, but distracted driving takes lives away and causes serious car accident injuries, and the driver at-fault needs to accept his/or her consequences.
Book an appointment with a Toronto personal injury lawyer at Sokoloff today to receive the compensation you deserve after a serious car accident.
Sources:
http://distracteddriving.caa.ca/education/