Is Distracted Driving really as Dangerous as Drunk Driving?

Driving while under the influence of alcohol or other drugs has been a commonly known problem as long as the automobile has been around. There is, however, a relatively new scourge of the road that is gaining awareness as a danger to drivers everywhere: distracted driving. Distracted driving is defined as a person’s attention from the road being diverted by another activity. Distractions can include messing with the radio or eating, but are usually meant to convey texting while driving. While there is some disagreement in the community, most experts do agree that distracted driving is not only as dangerous as drunk driving, it is actually worse.

According to some studies, texting while driving is equivalent to drinking four beers and driving. The reason that texting or any other distracting behavior is so dangerous is obvious; while the person is not looking at the road, anything can happen at they are not aware of. When one is drunk or buzzed and driving, his or her reflexes are down, so the reaction time is going to be much slower. When a person is not looking at all however, there is no reaction because the person is not aware of what is happening. Some statistics show that, because of this distracted drivers have a 23% higher chance of getting in a crash than someone who is intoxicated.

Another major problem with distracted driving is community awareness of the issue. Organizations have been lobbying against drunk driving for much longer, so the average person is much more after of the risks. Texting while driving is a relatively new phenomenon, so people are less inclined to think of it as an issue. Therefore, community awareness requires a necessary boost to expose the true dangers of distracted driving.

If you or someone you know has been involved in an automobile accident while the driver was distracted and you suffered an injury as a result, then it is fully within your rights to file a personal injury lawsuit against him or her. When going through this process, having an expert attorney, such as one from the Franco Law Firm, is an invaluable asset to winning your case and seeing justice served. To learn more and to schedule a free consultation with us, please call (813) 872-0929.