Despite efforts to raise awareness about the dangers of distracted driving, these accidents continue to occur on highways and roads throughout Florence and South Carolina.
Distractions such as texting or talking on a cell phone – even taking “selfies” and checking on social media – can easily divert a driver’s attention from the road and cause a crash.
Additionally, when people engage in these activities while driving, it requires them to remove their hands from the wheel, which can endanger themselves, their passengers and others on or near the road.
Fortunately, a flood of new apps have hit the market that aim to eliminate these distractions and prevent the serious accidents and injuries which can result.
A Closer Look at the Dangers of Distracted Driving
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website, Distraction.gov, more than 3,000 people are killed in distracted driving accidents on U.S. roads each year. An additional 400,000 people suffer serious injuries in these crashes.
These accidents impact drivers and passengers as well as motorcyclists, bicyclists and pedestrians. Common types of injuries that victims suffer in these crashes include:
- Muscle and tendon strains, sprains, and tears
- Broken bones and fractures
- Severe cuts, burns, and lacerations
- Injuries to internal organs
- Back and neck injuries
- Head injuries, including traumatic brain injury.
While eating and drinking behind the wheel, adjusting GPS settings and changing radio stations are all activities that require you to take your eyes off the road and your hands off the wheel, talking on cell phones and texting are particularly dangerous.
Statistics from the NHTSA indicate that as many as 660,000 people currently use smart phones or other electronic devices at any given moment while driving.
The average text diverts a driver’s attention for roughly five seconds which, when traveling at 55 mph, is the equivalent of driving the entire length of a football field.
All of the above illustrates the serious danger created by distracted driving and the reason why so many have been seeking solutions to this problem that go beyond raising public awareness about these risks.
Keeping Teen Drivers Safe
According to Distraction.gov, teenagers have the highest percentage of distracted driving accidents. Mashable lists several apps that parents can use to address this issue and monitor their younger family members behind the wheel:
- Canary
This app not only allows parents to keep track of when their teen is texting or tweeting while driving, but it can also be set to alert mom and dad when their child is speeding. - CellControl
This app is offered for free. It is produced by Esurance. It involves using a cell control which plugs into and syncs with a car’s Bluetooth system. The app can completely prevent drivers from using their phones while the vehicle is moving. - OneProtect
This app allows parents to manage their teen’s phone from a remote location and to install specific driving policies for their teen to follow. It differentiates between drivers and passengers. The app automatically locks the driver’s phone when a car goes faster than certain speeds. - iZUP
Distracted driving prevention apps only work if your teen driver uses them. This app prevents texting, calls, and e-mails while driving, and it alerts the account holder if the app is disconnected.
Reach Out to Us for Help
At the Jebaily Law Firm, we care about the safety of you and those you love. We are active supporters of End Distracted Driving (EndDD), a non-profit organization that brings speakers to area offices, schools and organizations to help raise awareness about the dangers of distracted driving and how these car accidents can be prevented.
If you or someone you love has been injured due to a distracted driver, contact our experienced South Carolina personal injury lawyers today.
Additional Car Safety Information
