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Recently, the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety conducted a study of the most common distractions that are likely to occur while driving and distract the driver’s attention, thereby possibly leading to a car accident. Participants in the study performed a number of tasks in three different settings: (1) while not driving; (2) while driving in a simulator; and (3) while actually driving. The results of the study, beginning with the least distracting and progressing up to the most distracting, were not at all surprising to our Marietta auto accident lawyer. Here are the six most common driving distractions we see all the time.

Listening to the Radio

Typically, a driver will select a present station, adjust the volume, and then begin driving. Listening to the radio, even when humming or singing along, was minimally distracting and not a significant risk.

Listening to a Book on Tape

Similar to listening to the radio, driving while listening to a book on tape was found to be minimally distracting, and not a significant risk.

Talking with Passengers

You see it every day. Interestingly, the drivers in the study were not allowed to turn their heads while talking, nor use hand gestures to emphasize a point. Despite these restrictions, the study found that talking while driving presented a moderate risk of distraction.

Cellphones (hand held)

Despite statistics showing talking on a cell phone while driving is one of the leading causes of accidents and fatalities, it remains one of the most common activities we do while driving. As a result, more than 10 states and the District of Columbia have enacted laws banning the use of a cellphone while behind the wheel. Talking on a cellphone while driving constitutes a moderate risk.

Cellphones (hands-free)

Have you ever driven next to someone and watched as they carry on a conversation with no one else in the car? If so, chances are they are using either a hand-free cellphone or a hand-held cellphone on speaker. Does not physically holding the cellphone make a difference is the level of distraction? The answer is a surprising “no.”   The Highway Loss Data Institute showed virtually no difference in the level of distraction between using a hand-held or hands-free cellphone. Bottom line, using a cell phone of any type while driving presents a moderate risk of distraction.

Speech-to-text Devices

One step above using a hands-free cellphone is speech-to-text devices. Using a STT device to send an email or text, post to social media, or a host of other similar functions is inherently dangerous and presents the greatest risk of distraction. Not only do you have to take attention away from driving and focus on what you are saying, but the quick glance at the screen to verify what you said was actually transcribed is a perfect recipe for an accident.

 

The bottom line is that the least distracting activity while driving is simply to drive. The next time you are tempted to perform one of the activities identified above, please ask yourself if that conversation, email, text, update, etc., is worth dying for, or possibly injuring or killing someone else.

 

If you or a loved one has been hurt as a result of an accident caused by a distracted driver, the Marietta-based law firm of Morrison & Hughes can help. Your initial consultation is free, and you will pay no legal fees unless we obtain compensation for you. Call 404-800-LAWS (5297) now to arrange for your free consultation or contact us online.

Recent economic forecast predictions state that interstate commercial trucking revenue will increase to approximately $1,200,000,000.00 by 2015. While this is undoubtedly great news for the trucking industry, the news isn’t so great for the drivers and passengers of cars, pickups, and SUVs that drive the same roads, since over 98% of all fatalities in truck vs car accidents consist of the drivers and/or occupants of the cars, pickups, and SUVs. If you or a family member have been injured in an collision with a semi-tractor trailer or other commercial truck, or if you’ve had a family member killed as a result of a collision with a commercial vehicle, you need to know and understand the following from a Marietta truck accident lawyer:

You Have Rights!

If you or a loved were injured or killed as a result of being struck by a semi-tractor trailer and the accident was not your fault, you have an absolute right to pursue the entity liable, whether that’s the trucking company, the driver, a company which performed maintenance on the semi, or possibly several other defendants whose conduct caused or contributed to the collision.

Investigating Trucking Accidents Is Vastly Different Than A Car Accident

After an accident, law enforcement responds to perform an initial investigation. Once the initial investigation is complete, the authorities want to clear the accident scene as quickly as possible to allow the flow of traffic to resume. This typically entails removing the vehicles, and while photographs of the scene may have been taken, weather and time can obscure if not destroy critical physical evidence such as skid marks, debris, fluid stains, etc. As such, it is critical that an Marietta truck accident lawyer is contacted to arrange for a truck accident investigator to respond and document this crucial evidence.

Commercial Carriers Are Subject To Federal Law

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (“FMCSA”) is an agency of the U.S. Department of Transportation. The FMCSA established specific rules and regulations regarding such issues as driver rest periods, vehicle maintenance, vehicle inspections, and so on. Trucking companies and their drivers are required to maintain certain records, document hours behind the wheel, etc. You can be certain that not every trucking company or driver fully complies with these requirements, and their failure to do so will be a critical aspect of your case.

Trucking Companies And Insurance

While trucking companies typically carry high level of liability insurance, keep in mind that insurance companies make money when they don’t pay claims. If you or a loved one has been hurt or killed in a collision with a commercial vehicle, you can be sure you will be contacted by an insurance adjuster who will offer you a low-ball lump-sum settlement in exchange for a full and compete release of all claims, claims which may not manifest themselves until weeks, perhaps even months after the collision.

 

Protect your rights! If you or a loved one has been hurt or killed as a result of a collision with a commercial vehicle, a Marietta truck accident lawyer at Morrison & Hughes can help. Your initial consultation is free, and you will pay no legal fees unless we obtain compensation for you. Call 404-800-LAWS (5297) now to arrange for your free consultation or contact us online.

You may be considering hiring a Marietta car accident lawyer if you have recently been in a car accident that caused significant injuries. You may also be considering representing yourself or simply paying your own out-of-pocket expenses even though someone else’s negligence caused your injuries and property damage. If you find yourself in this position, working with an experienced Marietta car accident lawyer is always your best bet. We discuss some of the reasons for making this statement below.

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