There is a variety of driving behaviors that fall into the reckless category. These include passing a stopped school bus, speeding, operating a vehicle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, failing to yield to another driver’s right of way, and failing to stop at traffic lights or signs. Distracted driving also makes it on the list of reckless operations of a vehicle.
Most of us have had the misfortune of sharing the road with a reckless motorist. Some of the telltale signs include difficulty staying in their lane, fluctuations in speed or braking at the last minute. If you’re wondering if distracted driving due to texting is a significant problem, it certainly is.
How big of an issue is distracted driving?
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) data shows that at least 90 motorists lose their lives each day in the U.S. Many of these fatalities are attributable to reckless driving behaviors, including distracted driving.
Other data published by TeenSafe shows that texting and driving kills at least 11 adolescent motorists every day here in the U.S. At least 50% of the teen motorists who died were between the ages of 16 and 19. Statistics compiled in 2018 showed that 33% of teenage survey respondents admitted to texting and driving even though they knew that it’s an unsafe practice.
Teens aren’t the only motorists guilty of texting and driving. Adults also regularly text and drive, surf the internet and talk on the phone while behind the wheel of their cars.
Why is distracted driving so dangerous?
Activities such as eating, having a conversation with passengers, messing with the radio or reaching for something are all examples of distracted driving. Texting and driving is probably one of the worst things a motorist can do, as it takes their eyes off the road and hands off the wheel. Texting and driving can also require a motorist to engage in deep thought, which may impact their ability to make sound decisions while driving.
Texting and driving often results in accidents with catastrophic injuries. Fortunately, New York has laws in place that may allow you to recover compensation to cover the medical bills that you have.