There is no question that there are more car accidents caused by distracted driving than there were in previous years. However, many people are surprised to learn just how many accidents are caused by this preventable behavior. Keep reading to learn more about statistics issued by the California Highway Patrol, then contact The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker at 800-333-0000 for a free legal consultation if you have been injured in a car accident.
Nearly 20,000 Citations Were Given in a Single Month
April was National Distracted Driving Awareness Month and the CHP worked to bring forth a public education campaign to teach people about the dangers of distracted driving. In the month, they issued upwards of 19,850 citations for violating the handsfree cell phone laws passed in California. To put this into perspective, it was nearly 4% more citations than were issued in April of 2018 for the same campaign.
Nearly 2,500 of the 2019 citations were issued on April 4th or 19th, designated zero-tolerance dates throughout the state. The fact of the matter is that though distracted driving is on the increase, and so are deaths related to distracted driving, more people seem to believe that the consequences are not serious.
Distracted Driving Statistics May Surprise You
In 2017 alone, more than 3,150 people died in accidents related to distracted driving. Almost 300 people died in 2017 due to accidents involving teen drivers who were distracted. In fact, 9% of all fatal crashes are estimated to have been caused by or affected by distracted drivers. It is not just the drivers who are in danger – there were also nearly 600 people not even in the vehicles who were killed by crashes caused by distraction, including pedestrians, bicyclists, and others.
Cellphones Are Not the Only Distraction
While cellphones are one of the biggest culprits when it comes to distracted driving, they are not the only thing to consider. There are many other types of distractions that can cause accidents. In fact, anything that takes your eyes, minds, or hands away from driving is a distraction and can lead to an accident. Some common distractions beyond cell phones include:
- Eating
- Applying makeup
- Brushing hair or grooming
- Changing clothing
- Reaching for objects that have fallen
- Pressing buttons
- Using an infotainment center or touchscreen in a vehicle
- Turning knobs or dials
Again, this is only a partial list – anything that takes attention from the road can cause a serious or fatal accident.
Have You Been Injured in an Accident?
In the state of California, it is illegal to hold a device while driving. Drivers under the age of 18 cannot use cellphones for any reason – even handsfree devices – while driving. If you have been injured in an accident caused by a distracted driver, contact The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker at 800-333-0000 now to request a free legal consultation.
