We all know motor vehicle accidents can happen in the blink of an eye. You might look away from the road for a few seconds and suddenly find yourself unable to stop from rear-ending another car in front of you, hitting a child who has run out into the street, or being sideswiped by a car that has drifted into your lane. The key part of the above sentence lies in the concept of looking away from the road. That is what occurs when an individual reads or writes texts while driving.
Texting while driving or otherwise using a cell phone is the most dangerous type of “distracted driving.” Distracted driving consists of taking your attention off the task of driving and putting it on something else, whether it is adjusting your GPS, finding a better radio station, dealing with kids or pets, engaging in any kind of conversation with a passenger, drinking, eating, reading a map, applying makeup, or combing your hair. These activities are all distractions, divided into three categories: 1. Cognitive distraction (thinking about something else rather than your driving) 2. Manual distraction (taking your hands off the wheel) 3. Visual distraction (taking your eyes off the road).
Have you been injured in a New Hampshire traffic accident? Let us fight for maximum compensation. Call us at (603) 288-1403 for a free consultation.
Texting While Driving Motor Vehicle Accident Statistics
Many national traffic safety agencies have shown the dangers of texting while driving through statistical analysis. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported that 2,841 individuals died in distracted driving accidents in 2018. Among these were drivers, passengers, bicyclists, and pedestrians. The NHTSA has also reported that, in 2019, this dangerous driving behavior played a role in 8.5 percent of all traffic accident fatalities. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has reported that this behavior kills nine people per day.
It has also been reported that teen drivers are more prone to texting while driving. Combine this with teen driving inexperience and you have a recipe for disaster. In a study conducted by the CDC, 38 percent of teen drivers admitted that they had texted while driving at least one time in the previous month.
Why Texting While Driving Is So Dangerous
Texting while driving is dangerous because it involves both visual, manual, and cognitive distraction. It occurs by taking your eyes off the road for an average time of five seconds. That is sufficient time to fail to see something going on around you that could lead to an accident, leaving you an insufficiency of time to react. If you were driving at 55 miles per hour while engaging in this behavior, experts have compared it to driving across a football field while wearing a blindfold.
Consequences of Texting While Driving in New Hampshire
Aside from exposing yourself and others to a dangerous accident, texting while driving carries other consequences. If you are caught texting while driving, you may be violating state law. New Hampshire passed a hands-free law in 2014 that prohibits holding a cell phone in your hand while driving. It also has a law that bans drivers from writing a text while driving. The only time you are allowed to use a cell phone in your hands and placed near your ear is to call 9-1-1 in an accident. Violations of these law carry fines that increase with each subsequent ticket. Also, if you are ticketed for breaking this traffic law, your car insurance premiums are likely to spike resulting in further financial loss.
Injured in a New Hampshire Car Accident?
As shown above, texting while driving has become a major cause of traffic crashes that can lead to serious injuries and deaths for others. If you or someone you know has been unfortunate enough to be victimized by this kind of negligence in New Hampshire, you can get legal representation from a highly-experienced and top-rated legal team. At Douglas, Leonard & Garvey, P.C., we are here to fight zealously on your behalf to help you obtain full and fair compensation for your injuries and losses. We are backed by a strong track record of results.
Reach out to a New Hampshire attorney at (603) 288-1403 for the dedicated legal help you need today. Your consultation is free.