INNER MONOLOGUE OF THE MAN WHO HAS YOUR LIFE IN HIS HANDS: Hmm, nice outside today…(walks to car)…These new boots are remarkably comfortable…(unlocks car door, gets inside)…Wow, it still smells like that garlic pizza I brought home last night…(starts car, checks mirror)…Hmm. The ol’ eyebrows are getting a little long…(puts car in reverse, backs up)…Which one is NPR? Is it 3?…(pushes the “3” button on the radio, continues backing up and straightens out the car to move forward)…Man, I love Robert Siegel’s voice…(shifts to drive, moves forward)…These new boots are a little awkward for driving…(stops at stop sign)…Excellent question, Robert…(phone beeps)…Aw, damnit…(he fishes the phone out of his pocket as he turns onto a busy Carlsbad Village Dr.)…(he slides his thumb frantically across the face of the phone to open it) I’m sliding, damnit!…(he finally opens the phone and reads the text he just received as he approaches a stop light)…Ha, ha, ha! That’s hilarious!…(he tries to reply to the text, occasionally looking up at traffic)…Damn predictive text!…(he uses his knee to hold the wheel as he moves forward, using both hands to compose a text)…BAM!…(he crashes into another car)…THE END.
Every time we get behind the wheel of a vehicle, each one of us engages in an activity that we may not fully acknowledge, and that is trusting in the judgment of other drivers who will be sharing the road with us. We expect other drivers to use caution and drive attentively, but with the ubiquity of hand-held devices paired with the “down time” of driving, people often get too easily distracted.
There are three main types of distraction:
Visual: focusing your vision on something other than the road
Manual: removing your hands from the wheel
Cognitive: thinking about something other than driving
According to the National Safety Council, 1.6 million car accidents result each year from cell phone use. The NSC also reports that 1 out of 4 accidents in the U.S. are caused by texting and driving. And in a poll conducted by the American Automobile Association (AAA), 94% of teenaged drivers recognize the threat of texting and driving, yet 35% of them admit to doing it regardless of the fact.
It’s clear that we have a problem in America that can sometimes prove to be fatal. And despite strict California law regarding cell phone use while driving, many people still do it anyway. This can lead to a serious accident that could have life-changing effects. If you or someone you love has been injured to do the negligence of other drivers, you should seek legal help. The San Diego distracted driving accident attorneys at the Jurewitz Law Group Injury & Accident Lawyers is ready assist you. Call us today at (619) 233-5020 or Toll Free (888) 233-5020 for a free consultation.
