If it seems as if texting and driving and other distracted driver behaviors are mentioned frequently when referring to auto accidents in Louisiana and across the nation, it is not a mistake nor is it an unnatural focus on these crashes. It is a major problem that is growing to epic proportions and causing serious injuries and fatalities. Research is examining this issue and it consistently brings up surprising and worrisome information with distracted drivers.
A new survey in a combined study by the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing and the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia showed that around half the parents who took part in the survey admitted to talking on their cellphone while driving with a child between the ages of 4 and 10 in the vehicle. 33 percent admitted to reading text messages. One out of seven were using social media. Since distracted driving has been shown to be a cause of approximately one out of four accidents, this is a growing trend that those who are in a crash should be aware of as a possible cause.
The researchers say that the increased use of technology is a catalyst for people to believe they can do several things at once. Part of that is engaging in the above-listed behaviors with children in the vehicle. 760 adults took part in the survey and it covered nearly all 50 states. The criteria to take part required that the drivers be a minimum of 18. They had to be parents or regular caregivers of a child age 4 to 10. They must have driven that child on at least six different occasions in the three months before they responded to the survey questions. More than 52 percent said they used a hands-free device to talk on the phone. 47 percent had a handheld phone. Just shy of 14 percent said they used social media when transporting children.
Despite this survey examining driver behaviors with children in the vehicle, these actions place other drivers, pedestrians, bicyclists and anyone else who is out on the road in danger of being injured and killed in an auto accident. When there is a crash, it is vital to have legal assistance to consider a lawsuit to receive compensation for medical costs, lost wages and other expenses. This is even more important when there is a fatality. A law firm that understands distracted driving car accidents can investigate the case and should be contacted as soon as possible.
