Drivers Using Phones Almost Every Time They Drive
July 18, 2017
It is not a good idea to use our smartphones while we are driving, whether it is to check a text, make a call, or use social media. Yet, a staggering number of drivers continue to use their phones almost every time they get behind the wheel. In fact, new research shows that drivers use their phones during 88 percent of trips. A two-second distraction increases your chances of crashing by over 20 times.
According to a study that was recently released by analytics firm, Zendrive, drivers in the United States use their phones almost every time they drive. After conducting the largest distracted driving study to date, which involved analyzing phone habits of 3.1 million drivers who made 570 million trips, totaling 5.6 billion miles between December 2016 and February 2017, researchers found that drivers used their phone 88 percent of the time.
Many times, drivers are using their phones for a GPS app in order to get real-time directions, which often provides drivers with alternate routes in the event of heavy traffic. Officers understand that these are useful apps, but they want people to use them safely, setting up the directions ahead of time and making sure the voice command is on so that it is not necessary to look at the map while driving. In the five seconds a driver takes to look down at their phone while traveling at a speed of 55 miles per hour, it is similar to driving the distance of a football field blindfolded.
More Technology Offers More Distractions
Today’s cars are more technologically advanced than ever before. While this offers consumers a wide range of features that make the vehicle safer and more enjoyable to drive, it also means that there are more distractions that can tempt the driver. Still, mobile phones cause the most distractions. The study showed that drivers spend an average of 3.5 minutes on their phones over the course of a one-hour trip. A Zendrive representative shared research from Oregon State University, which stated that when you consider the effects of a two-second distraction on crash rates, it is comparable to 105 chances per hour that you could cause a serious or fatal distracted driving accident.
Baltimore Car Accident Lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton Advocate for Injured Victims of Distracted Driving Car Accidents
If you or a family member have been seriously injured in a car accident involving a driver who was using their phone at the time of the wreck, you are urged to contact the Baltimore car accident lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton at your earliest convenience. We take distracted driving cases very seriously and will seek the maximum financial compensation for your injuries. To schedule a free, confidential consultation, call us today at 800-547-4LAW (4529) or contact us online.
Our offices are located in Baltimore, Columbia, Glen Burnie, and Towson, allowing us to represent car accident victims in Maryland, including those in Anne Arundel County, Carroll County, Harford County, Howard County, Montgomery County, Maryland’s Western Counties, Southern Maryland, and the Eastern Shore, as well as the communities of Catonsville, Essex, Halethorpe, Middle River, Rosedale, Gwynn Oak, Brooklandville, Dundalk, Pikesville, Nottingham, Windsor Mill, Lutherville, Timonium, Sparrows Point, Ridgewood, and Elkridge.
