April Marks Distracted Driving Awareness Month Nationwide

Despite awareness campaigns, changes to driver training programs, and new state and federal laws and regulations enacted throughout the country, distracted driving continues to be a serious problem on our roads. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimate that nine people are killed in distracted driving accidents every day and that over a thousand are injured daily.

In 2011, according to the CDC, 17 percent of car crashes involved at least one distracted driver. While texting and cell phone use are two well-known sources of driver distraction, the distraction that causes a crash can come from any source. Talking to passengers, eating, personal grooming, changing the radio station, or trying to read a map or directions can also cause a crash, as can becoming distracted by a roadside attraction or other item outside the vehicle.

Distraction may take your eyes, hands, or mind off the road and the task of driving. The more absorbing a distraction is, the more likely it is to cause a crash. The CDC warns against texting in particular, since it distracts a driver's eyes, hands, and mind all at the same time. However, research by the National Safety Council (NSC) indicates that even hands-free cell phone use behind the wheel might raise the risk of a crash to unacceptable levels. Drivers who put their cell phones away entirely when they drive increase their chances of maintaining their focus on the road and avoiding a crash.

At Cullan & Cullan, our experienced Omaha distracted driving accident attorneys can help you understand your legal rights and seek the compensation you need after a crash. Contact us today to learn more.