Tips for Reducing Distracted Driving

More and more studies are coming out about the dangers associated with distracted driving. In fact, one study by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) found that people who text while driving—one of the most common forms of distracted driving—are more than 20 times more likely to be involved in an accident than a non-distracted driver.  

There are several things you can do to ensure you aren’t driving distracted, thereby reducing your chances of getting involved in some type of accident. Here are some helpful tips to follow:

• Do not read or send text messages while driving. Texting while driving significantly increases your risk of an accident, and one study even found texting while driving to be more dangerous than drunk driving.
• Do not use your phone or any other handheld device to check your e-mail, browse the Internet, or go on Facebook or MySpace.
• Do not talk on your cell phone while driving. Not only is this illegal in most states, but using a handheld device in any capacity is dangerous.
• Try avoiding changing the radio as much as possible. Even taking your eyes off the road for a second to find a new station puts you at an increased risk of being involved in an accident.
• Refrain from eating in the car. Although many people eat on the go, it can be a distraction, especially when the driver is eating something messy, such as a hamburger.
• Refrain from reaching behind your seat or down in front of the passenger seat. When your body isn’t facing fully forward it can throw off your perception.
• Do not read the newspaper or put on makeup while in the car. It’s pretty obvious that both of these actions are distracting enough to increase your chances of getting involved in an accident.

If you are responsible for causing an accident because you were not paying attention, not only could you face criminal penalties, but you could also be sued for damages in a personal injury lawsuit. Criminally speaking though, you could be ticketed for reckless driving and if a minor is in your vehicle you could be charged with endangerment. In the event that you caused a serious or deadly accident, you could be arrested for vehicular manslaughter or even assault with a deadly weapon.

Contact an experienced criminal defense attorney if you have received a ticket, been arrested for causing an accident, or simply want to learn more about the distracted driving laws in your state.