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At Dewey, Ramsay & Hunt, our Charlotte car accident attorneys know that the holidays bring all types of hazards to our roadways. With increased holiday travel and more drivers on the road, accidents happen without notice throughout North Carolina.
We’ve talked about how holidays increase drunk driving accidents, and how North Carolina is already struggling with a tragic number of impaired driving collisions, injuries, and fatalities year around. What we have not talked about is how distracted driving crashes can be just as devastating this time of year.
Here’s why.
Your Vehicle’s Onboard Technology Can Be Very Dangerous
When we think about distracted driving, the first thing that comes to mind is people texting while driving. This is certainly a very dangerous activity, as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration describes, “sending or reading a text takes your eyes off the road for 5 seconds. At 55 mph, that’s like driving the length of an entire football field with your eyes closed.”
However, according to Market Watch, texting is not the only dangerous driving distraction.
A study by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety reported programming navigation was the most distracting task, taking an average of 40 seconds for drivers to complete. When driving at 25 mph, a driver can travel the length of four football fields during the time it could take to enter a destination in navigation.
When motorists are traveling over the holidays, they rely heavily on GPS technology to get them where they are going, which can include zooming in and out of the map feature, or looking for nearby attractions, retail outlets, or restaurants along the way.
The danger lies in using these features, like voice-based and touch-screen technology, which takes the driver’s hands, eyes, and mind off the important act of driving.
If you are traveling this holiday season, it is important to program your GPS before you put your vehicle in drive. If you must make changes to your route during the trip, do so during a stop or have a passenger make the changes for you.
Getting where you’re going safely is more important than potentially missing a turn.
Distracted Driving Awareness
At Dewey, Ramsay & Hunt, P.A., our Charlotte car accident attorneys have witnessed firsthand how quickly distracted driving can change people’s lives. When most people think of distracted driving, their first thoughts are texting and driving. While cellphone use behind the wheel plays a significant role in distracted driving crashes in North Carolina and across the country, a distraction occurs when a driver’s attention is diverted away from driving to some other activity.
Unfortunately, there is no lack of distractions — either inside or outside the vehicle.
A distraction can be produced by something a driver sees or hears, some physical tasks not directly involved in driving, or other mental activities that take their minds away from concentrating on the road ahead.
The Dangerous Impact Distracted Driving Has on North Carolina Communities
Drivers cannot operate their vehicles safely unless the task of driving has their full attention. Any non-driving activity they engage in is a potential distraction and increases the risk of crashing.
The exact number of annual crashes caused by driver inattention is unknown. This is because motorists are unwilling to admit they were not paying attention when the accident occurred.
Where the cause was known, distracted driving killed 3,522 people last year, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
The National Safety Council reported that at least eight people a day are killed in distracted driving crashes. This includes distracted drivers, other motorists, motorcyclists, bicyclists, and pedestrians.
While using a cell phone when driving creates enormous potential for deaths and injuries on North Carolina roads, other distractions may include:
- Attending to children in the vehicle.
- Eating or drinking.
- Grooming.
- Onboard electronics, including stereo systems and GPS.
- Passenger interference.
- Reaching for dropped objects.
- Unrestrained pets.
Join our Charlotte car accident attorney in observing Distracted Driving Awareness Month and help everyone get home safely.
Contact Our Knowledgeable Car Accident Attorneys in Charlotte, North Carolina
At Dewey, Ramsay & Hunt, P. A., we hope you and your family get everywhere you need to go safely this holiday season, and hope that you will never need us.
If you do, our leading auto accident lawyers in Charlotte provide free consultations by calling 704-377-3737 or contacting us online. Contact our Charlotte personal injury attorneys for more legal help.
We provide unique legal services tailored to fit each client’s needs and do not get paid unless you do.
Because every case is different, the description of awards and cases previously handled by our law firm does not guarantee a similar outcome in current or future cases.
Author
Attorney Brian Hunt earned his Juris Doctorate from Elon University School of Law. Mr. Hunt cut his teeth as an attorney working relentlessly on a three-week trial in Mooresville, NC, which is where he first met Mr. Dewey. Mr. Hunt & Mr. Dewey were able to settle the claim to the satisfaction of all parties involved.
