You are one of thousands of drivers who use New Jersey roads every single day. Unfortunately, there is a large chance that you will cross pass with multiple drivers who are driving distractedly at any given time. Worse still is the high cost of distracted driving.
First, it’s important to understand what distracted driving looks like. Distracted driving behaviors fall into one of three categories: taking your eyes off the road, taking your hands off the wheel, and taking your mind off driving. Numerous activities fall into all three categories, like personal grooming or texting while driving.
According to AAA, distracted driving is inherently rife with risks to both the driver and anyone around them. For example, a study in 2006 showed that taking your eyes off the road for more than two seconds at a time increased your chances of getting into an accident twofold. Not only that, but surveys show that 88 percent of respondents believe cell phone usage has increased over the last three years, and that it’s a bigger danger than ever.
Another frequently quoted fact is that you can travel the distance of an entire football field in roughly 3 seconds while on the freeway. That’s about as long as it takes to check a text, change a CD, or even turn around to talk to passengers in the back seat. Traveling that far without your eyes on the road can be a recipe for disaster.
If you have been involved in a wreck caused by distracted driving, you may want to consider speaking with an attorney to see what your options are. You could seek financial compensation for the damages suffered.