While there are many dangers on the road in Louisiana and having the misfortune of encountering a distracted driver is one of the most prominent issues leading to an auto accident and is so frequently discussed, it is still automatically assumed that the main distraction is a phone. While this is a reason for many accidents, a recent study from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety indicates that new features like infotainment systems are also serving as a distraction for drivers. This must be factored in when there is a crash reconstruction, distracted driving is believed to be a cause and the phone was not in use.
Many researchers are coming to the same conclusion and this runs the gamut among scientists, companies and government entities. With the number of fatal accidents on the road in 2017 surpassing 37,000, there are certain issues that must be considered as to why there has been a 10 percent increase in fatal crashes since 2014. AAA and the University of Utah combined to experiment in how being distracted affects drivers. They used five vehicles and 64 drivers. Some used infotainment systems installed by the vehicle manufacturers. Others used software from the driver’s smartphone that were attached to Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. They found that drivers who used Apple and Android maintained concentration on the road.
The vehicles – late models from various manufacturers – required the drivers to pay closer attention to the system to complete various tasks, such as sending a text, changing the audio, using navigation and making phone calls. As researchers expand their studies, other factors are considered, such as younger drivers age 17 to 22 who are using their phones behind the wheel 12 percent of the time while driving.
An auto accident can have devastating results on a person and his or her family. High medical costs, the inability to work, problems functioning normally at home and more can result. When there is a fatality, the family must find a way to come to grips with the loss and move forward. A distracted driver, regardless of what the distraction was, can be a cause of these crashes. A full investigation and help moving forward with a legal case can help to recover compensation after car accidents.
