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If you haven’t heard the term before, you’ve certainly seen the behavior. Distracted drivers are the ones who are doing everything except keeping their eyes on the road, increasing the likelihood that they’ll cause a serious car accident. As most of us know, there are a myriad of other things to do in a car or truck besides actually drive. There’s the radio, iPod, MP3 player, cell phone, Blackberry, iPhone, makeup to put on, text messages to read, snacks to eat, and passengers to talk to. As much as we’d all like to think otherwise, many of us are guilty of doing something other than driving when we’re behind the wheel.

But is it really that big a deal? Ask any driver if they are less safe because they grab something they drop off the floor, take a quick cell phone call, or hit play on their music system. These activities are generally seen as acceptable and not terribly dangerous. However, Virginia law makers and law enforcement officers are trying to change these perceptions.

Facts about distracted driving

About 80 percent of all crashes can be attributed to a distracted driver. The number one distraction? Cell phones. And it isn’t just talking on the phone that is dangerous, dialing it is even more distracting.
The use of a cell phone while driving is one of the top high-risk distracted driving behaviors. Over 50 peer-reviewed scientific studies have shown that driving while using a cell phone can lead to collisions and injury.
If you use a cell phone while driving, you are four times more likely to be in a crash than somebody not using a phone. Not only is it dangerous, but cell phone related motor vehicle accidents cost Americans $43 billion each year.
If you think that using a hands-free device makes talking on your cell phone safer, think again. Studies show that talking on a hands-free device is just as distracting as holding a phone up to your ear while driving.
If you reach for a moving object while driving, you increase your risk of a crash or near-crash by 9 times.
Looking at an object outside of your car increases your crash risk 3.7 times.
Reading while driving increases your crash risk by 3 times
Putting on makeup while you drive? You’re increasing your crash risk by 3 times.
The more you engage in distracting activities, the greater your chance of being involved in a distracted driving crash. It only takes a split second for a hazardous situation to occur on the road, and a mere moment’s inattention can be deadly.

If you’ve been involved in a serious car or truck accident, make sure you protect your rights by talking to an experienced attorney as soon as possible. To discuss your situation with a skilled Virginia lawyer, please contact the Norfolk office of Weisberg & Zaleski today.

Weisberg & Zaleski, P.C.

112 College Place

Norfolk, VA 23510

Toll Free: (800) 690-0235

Phone: (757) 622-7740

Fax: (757) 533-9223

Ask an Attorney
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Weisberg & Zaleski, P.C.
112 College Place
Norfolk, VA 23510
Phone: (757) 622-7740
Fax: (757) 533-9223
Toll Free: (800) 690-0235
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Is distracted driving really that dangerous?

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