There is an alarming number of accidents linked to distracted driving, often including the use of a cell phone. An estimate of 1.25 million people die in road crashes each year globally, about 3,287 deaths each day. If good driving habits aren’t practiced in an effort to minimize car accidents, road traffic injuries are predicted to be the fifth leading cause of death by 2030.

What is Distracted Driving?

Distracted driving is any activity that draws the drivers attention away from the road. Activities that lead to distracted driving can include, but certainly aren’t limited to talking, eating, texting, and fiddling with the stereo or navigation system. Of these distractions, texting while driving is the most hazardous. Having your eyes off the road for 5 seconds is long enough to cover a football field while driving at 55 mph. The only way to drive safely is for the task to have your full attention at all times, which means making a genuine effort to remain distraction-free throughout your journey.

Common Driving Distractions in Louisiana

There are three different types of distracted driving: manual, visual, and cognitive. Each refers to varying activities drivers must resist while driving:

    • Manual Distractions: The driver moves their hands from the wheel.
      • Examples: Eating, drinking, changing CDs
  • Visual DIstractions: The driver is visually distracted the moment their eyes are off the road.
      • Examples: Reading billboards, checking out crash scenes
  • Cognitive Distraction: When the driver’s mind wanders from the task of driving, they have a cognitive distraction.
    • Examples: Using voice-activating features, daydreaming

Any of these distractions can cause a driver to miss critical events or cues leading to a crash. Distractions put not only the driver in danger but all other commuters as well. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported that one in every ten fatal crashes in the US involves a distracted driver.

Texting While Driving

Texting while driving is one of the most dangerous distractions as it involves all three types of distraction. With the popularity of mobile phones in recent times, drivers have become more reliant on their use while driving.Unfortunately, the increase in convenience doesn’t stop the use of cell phones from being dangerous while driving.

NHTSA reported that in 2015 approximately 391,000 were injured in motor vehicle crashes involving distracted drivers. The danger of handheld phone use while driving is highest among 16-24 years old drivers, but this can change with the consistent practice of safe driving.

How You Can Get Involved

The Federal Communications Commission has three recommendations to help prevent the dangers of texting while driving and other distracting habits.

Give Clear Instructions

New drivers are advised directly with clear instructions to not use wireless devices while driving. Inform your new driver of the fact that taking their eyes off the road, even for a moment, can cause severe injury or death.

Lead by Example

Practice what you preach. If you need to text or talk on your phone, pull over to a safe place. Setting rules for yourself and household can help set a standard of safe driving throughout the family.

Become Active and Stay Informed

Share the enthusiasm! Tell your family, friends, and organizations you belong to about the importance of driving without distractions, and how to practice safe driving. Take the information to your kid’s school and ask for it to be shared with the students and parents.

Louisiana Texting State Law

There is currently no national ban on texting while driving or using a cell phone while driving, but different states uphold their own laws as a precaution. In Louisiana, there is an all cell phone ban for school bus drivers and a text messaging ban for all other drivers.

Suffered from Distracted Driving?

If you are suffering from the aftermath of distracted driving in Louisiana, it may be a difficult time. Our Louisiana car accident attorneys at E. Orum Young Law Offices can provide you with the representation needed to settle your legal issue on the most favorable terms. Contact us at 318-450-6453 and start your free case evaluation, our Trial Guarantee means we will take your case to trial per your request.