Many people lead busy lives. These days, multitasking is not only accepted, but it's encouraged at work or at home. Unfortunately, when multitasking extends to our cars we are putting others at risk through distracted driving.
It's shocking how many people get into auto accidents due to distractions such as texting while driving or eating while driving. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 20 percent of injury crashes involved reports of distracted driving.
Are you prepared to take action if a distracted driver causes an accident? If you or someone you know was injured due to a distracted driver, don't hesitate to contact a car accident lawyer in Atlanta to learn about your rights. The experienced personal injury attorneys at the Law Offices of Gary Martin Hays & Associates can put experience and resources to work for you.
The following are some of the top driving distractions in Atlanta:
- Texting while driving: Pull over to a safe spot if you need to send or receive text messages. With texting while driving, you're taking at least one hand off the wheel and your eyes off the road. Some studies have compared texting to risks associated with drunk driving.
- Talking on a cell phone: While not as risky as texting while driving, talking on a cell phone can distract you more than you might think. Even with hands-free headsets, drivers who are engaged in phone conversations are not able to completely focus on operating their vehicle.
- Eating and drinking while driving: It's best to avoid eating while driving, especially hot food and drinks. Eating requires taking at least one of your hands off the wheel. If you spill a hot beverage, you may be significantly distracted.
- Use of electronic devices while driving: The use of iPods or programming of a GPS unit behind the wheel increases the risk of a car accident as you will need to take at least one hand off the wheel and your attention will turn from the road to your electronic device.
- Personal grooming: Women in a hurry may be tempted to put makeup on. Men may shave or even brush their teeth while driving. Any of these actions will require you to take your eyes off the road for a moment or your hands off the wheel.
- Reading maps or other material: Like texting, reading of maps can significantly increase the risk of an accident due to having to take your eyes off the road. People even have been known to read books or work reports, which should be done before or after getting into the car.
Reports have estimated that distracted driving was responsible for nearly 6,000 fatalities and 500,000 injuries in the United States in 2008.
To keep the Georgia roads safe, drivers need to remember to focus on the task at hand. This is especially important for younger drivers. (The under-20 age group has the greatest proportion of distracted drivers, according to the NHTSA).
If a distracted driver was responsible for your injuries, don't hesitate to talk to an experienced car accident attorney in Atlanta. Let a Georgia auto accident lawyer at the Law Offices of Gary Martin Hays & Associates help you with your options. Contact us today to learn more.