According to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a new survey shows that Americans continue to use electronic devices while driving, despite warnings that it causes their own driving to deteriorate and can lead to crashes, injuries, and even death. The survey shows that at any given time, there are more than 600,000 drivers using a cell phone or manipulating some other electronic device while driving. The survey results are being released at the start of National Distracted Driving Awareness Month.
According to the NHTSA’s 2012 National Survey on Distracted Driving Attitudes and Behaviors, most drivers support bans on hand-held cell phone use and texting while driving. However, almost half of the drivers who participated in the survey admitted to answering incoming phone calls and one in four drivers said they were willing to place a phone call while driving.
Distracted driving laws that prohibit text messaging while driving are present in 39 states. Ten states have enacted laws prohibiting all drivers from using any hand-held cell phone device while driving. Despite lawmaker’s efforts to curb distracted driving, separate NHTSA data shows that more than 3,000 people were killed in 2011 and 387,000 were injured in crashes involving a distracted driver.
According to U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, “Distracted driving is a serious and deadly epidemic on America’s roadways. There is no way to text and drive safely. Powering down your cell phone when you’re behind the wheel can save lives – maybe even your own.” To prevent distracted driving, the Department of Transportation recommends that drivers turn off electronic devices and put them out of reach before starting to drive.
If you or someone you know have been injured in an accident as a result of a texting driver, contact the attorneys at Abraham, Watkins, Nichols, Agosto, Aziz & Stogner by calling (713) 222-7211 or 713-222-7211.