How prevalent is distracted driving on a daily basis?

Many drivers are aware of the dangers that are associated with distractions behind the wheel. From eating food to sending a text message, there are many different ways in which a driver may become distracted. When someone is unable to focus on the road, the risk of a crash may be increased significantly. Sadly, distracted driving accidents have left many people with injuries that they will struggle with for the rest of their lives and others have been unable to survive a collision. Moreover, distracted driving is surprisingly common across the U.S.

According to data published by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, it is estimated that 660,000 drivers use electronic devices while operating a vehicle during daylight hours. Distracted driving resulted in 391,000 people sustaining injuries in 2015, while more than 3,400 passed away in accidents that involved a distracted driver, according to the NHTSA.

Using a cell phone or another electronic device can increase the chances of an accident in various ways. For example, a driver may take their hand and eyes off the wheel in order to compose a text message or an email on their smartphone or tablet. Or, a driver might divert his or her attention to talk with someone on their phone or read a message that they received. Moreover, some people may even become distracted by playing games on their devices. When a distracted driver causes a crash because of their negligent behavior, they must be held fully accountable for the suffering that results from the collision.