Practice Areas

Sign up

Insert your Email address to sign up for our E-Newsletter

Library

Share

Distracted Driving is Deadly

It is one of the newest dangers on the highway and is one of the deadliest. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has published data which shows that in 2008, upwards of 6,000 people died in the United States as a result of car crashes involving a distracted or inattentive driver. On any given day in that same year, 800,000 vehicles were being operated by someone using a hand-held cell phone. It should be noted that cell phones are not the only culprit in leading someone to be inattentive behind the wheel. Video games, iPods, Blackberrys and GPS systems are just as distracting. Every time someone takes his or her eyes off the road, even for just a couple of seconds, their life and the lives of others on the highway are in danger. As you might guess the worst offenders are those who have grown up in the gadget world, i.e. men and women under 20 years of age. But the problem is more widespread. Distracted driving occurs across all age groups and in all modes of transportation, from cars to buses and trucks to trains. It has gotten to be so much of a problem that in October of 2009, President Obama signed an Executive Order directing all federal employees to refrain from text messaging while driving government-owned motor vehicles or while driving their own autos on government business.

The next time you are stopped at a traffic light watch the drivers going through the intersection and count the ones who are talking on a cell phone. You may be very surprised with the results.

At Rutter Mills, we encourage careful and safe driving habits. Using your cell phone or other 21st century technological device while driving should be avoided.

by Attorney Joseph Young

Do You Have A Case?

Resources