Eyes Forward, STOP Distracted Driving

Posted on April 15, 2019 Car Accidents,Distracted Driver Accident

You have heard it time and time again in the headlines, on news reports and even in the lunch room—distracted driver. Texting and talking on your mobile phone is terrible. We know it, but we still do it.

According to the National Traffic Highway Safety Association (NTHS), 1 out of 10 fatal accidents are caused by a distracted driver. You hear the words too much that you may even begin to tune out when you hear distracted driver, but surprising statistics should make you listen up.

Texting

Your phone is there, you hear the ping, and it seems so easy to reach for it. DON’T! Texting and driving increases your chances of an accident by 23 times.  In the 4.6 seconds that it takes you to answer a text, you will have traveled the entire length of a football field essentially with your eyes closed.

Talking

We have moved to the era where many of our vehicles are equipped with hands free devices, or we have hands free headsets. You may think this is better, that you will not be distracted if you are using your hand’s free device. Yes, it does what it says it will do, leave your hands on the wheel but that is not the source of the distraction, it is the conversation.

According to a new research study in Toronto using an MRI machine fitted with a driving simulator, during a phone call (hands-free or not), blood flow decreased to the areas of the brain that controlled alertness and vision processing and was redirected to the area that handles conversations.

Music

Finally, some good news, listening to music does not impair your reaction time. In fact, in some situations, music can even improve focus by helping drivers stay alert. So go ahead and play those tunes.

Minnesota Texting & Driving Laws

• Texting & Driving Ban: Yes
• Hand-Held Cell Phone Use Ban: Yes
• Cell Phone Usage Ban for Younger Drivers: For drivers in their first 12 months of a provisional license and drivers with their learner’s permit. This also applies to all drivers under the age of 18

For More Information on Minnesota Traffic Laws Visit: Minnesota Office of Traffic Safety

Wisconsin Texting and Driving Laws

• Texting & Driving Ban: Yes
• Hand-Held Cell Phone Use Ban: When driving in highway construction areas
• Cell Phone Usage Ban for Younger Drivers: For drivers with an intermediate license or a learner’s permit

For More Information on Wisconsin Traffic Laws Visit: Wisconsin Department of Transportation and Traffic Safety

Injured By a Distracted Driver? Contact Us Today

As distracted driving becomes a national problem, the chances of being involved in a car accident with one increase. If the carelessness of another driver ever injures you, contact our law firm at 800-607-3030 or click here for a free consultation.

Some statistics are taken from:
“2016 Fatal Motor Vehicle Crashes: Overview”, NHTSA
“What is Distracted Driving? Key Facts and Statistics” NHTSA National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.