As a Fort Worth personal injury lawyer who has been helping injured drivers and passengers throughout Tarrant County since 1991, I have seen first hand the damage that can be done by distracted driving. Most drivers think it is unsafe to multi-task while driving, but most drivers responding to a recent poll admit to keeping one eye and one hand on a meal while driving. Eating a meal turned out to be the most common distracting activity drivers undertake. In fact, 65 percent of drivers stated they eat while driving, according to a PEMCO Insurance poll on driver distraction.
While eating took the top spot on the survey, 58 percent of drivers acknowledged they talk on a cell phone while driving. Drivers also thought both eating and cell phone use while driving were unsafe, along with several other common driving distractions. The poll of 600 people also asked drivers to rate the danger of several common distracted driving activities. Each activity was rated on a scale from one to five, with one being "completely safe" and five being "very dangerous."
While 65 percent of respondents admitted to eating while driving, that activity received a "danger rating" of 3.8 on the five-point scale. Talking on a cell phone was regarded as a 4.0 in danger, while reading a newspaper or book, something only six percent of drivers admit to, got the top danger rating of 4.9. Writing a text message (4.8), applying makeup or shaving (4.6) and the ever-popular steering with legs and no hands on wheel (4.7) also recorded serious danger rankings from the respondents. Some 25 percent of all drivers say they have steered with no hands at some time in their driving lives, while 14 percent say they have applied makeup or shaved.
Here at the Anderson Law Firm, we are dedicated to raising awareness of the dangers of distracted driving. We sponsor a pledge drive amongst local high schools, called the Teens Against Distracted Driving Project and we provide bracelets to teens who sign a pledge to not text and drive.
If you have been injured in a car accident from a distracted driver, it is imporant that you consult with a board certified PI attorney as soon as possible. Please call us or fill out our contact card for a free consultation on your legal rights.
