Just when you thought things couldn’t get worse on our roads and highways, a dangerous new trend is putting all drivers at risk:
People are taking selfies and videos while driving.
And it’s not just young drivers who are engaging in this dangerous behavior. People of all ages – teens and adults alike – are taking photos and videos while they should be concentrating on the road.
There is no good reason to be taking selfies or videos while operating a motor vehicle. Many of these individuals are attempting to capture the “perfect” photo or video to share with friends on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat, and other social media apps and sites.
Many are using the hashtag #drivingselfie to share photos with the world.
But at what cost?
The Dangers Of Distracted Driving
It is widely known that distracted driving is dangerous. According to the NHTSA, 3,450 people were killed by distracted drivers in 2016.
When sending a text message while driving, an individual takes his or her eyes off of the road for an average of 5 seconds. It is safe to assume that taking selfies or videos while driving generally takes as long as or longer than 5 seconds.
Traveling for 5 seconds at a speed of 55 miles per hour is equivalent to traveling the distance of a football field – with a blindfold on.
Many individuals are driven by an intense desire to capture every minute detail of life and share it on social media. Unfortunately, this behavior can be extremely dangerous and lead to unnecessary accidents, injuries, and deaths.
It is time we all put our phones down while driving and focus on keeping ourselves and everyone else on the road safe.
Injured? Schedule Your Free Consultation Today.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident caused by a distracted driver, you deserve to learn about your legal options. Schedule a free consultation with a lawyer from Abraham, Watkins, Nichols, Agosto, Aziz & Stogner in Houston, Texas.