Focusing on just one thing at a time might feel impossible in today’s world, but there is one task that always deserves your undivided attention — driving. Accidents can happen in the blink of an eye, which means that drivers should always be aware of what is going on around them and be prepared to react in a timely manner. But with more and more Florida drivers absorbed in their smartphones, distracted driving accidents are almost impossible to avoid.
Of course, distracted driving was around long before smartphones came about, but they have not helped the situation. In fact, a 2020 study from The Zebra found that nearly 29% of people say that the distracted driving behavior they engage in the most is texting behind the wheel. This does not even include things like taking pictures or videos or video chatting.
Work is getting in the way of safety
More and more workers are unable to leave their work behind at the office. You might even be familiar with the dreaded late-night work email that you feel compelled to answer. But what about when that work email arrives while you are driving? In that same study, 37% of respondents between the ages of 18 and 34 said there is a lot of pressure to reply to work emails right away — even while driving.
What kind of a phone you use might also influence whether or not you reply to those work emails or shoot a text to your friend. Only 16% of people who use iPhones said they were never distracted while driving, compared with 23% of people with Android phones. Another 38% of drivers with phones that use other operating systems report that they do not get distracted.
The problem is bigger than phones
Parents with young kids are probably more distracted than they think. Since most people associate distracted driving with phone use, they overlook the fact that any behavior that takes their attention off the road is distracting — like looking at children who are riding in the back. An astounding 87% of parents with young kids experience distraction at least some of the time, compared to only 74% of drivers without small kids.
But did you know that a driver can have both hands on the wheel and eyes on the road and still be distracted? Cognitive distraction applies to anything that takes your mind off the task at hand, such as thinking about work, your to-do lists or even just daydreaming. Cognitive distractions are a serious problem and incredibly hard to spot.
Your health and safety matters
You know just how important it is to keep your eyes on the road, hands on the wheel and head in the game. Maybe you even go the extra mile and silence your phone before you start driving. These actions can help keep you safe on the road and give you time to react when necessary, but there is nothing you can do to fully protect yourself from a driver who cares more about his or her phone than your safety.
By now you understand how devastating the aftermath of a distracted driving accident can be. You have medical bills and lost wages to deal with, all while trying to heal from your injuries. There is no need to go through this all alone and without help. Instead, you can work with an experienced attorney who can help you through the process of successfully filing a personal injury lawsuit.
