Auto Accident Lawyers at Whittel & Melton Urge You to Eliminate Driving Distractions

April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month, and our Villages Auto Accident Lawyers at Whittel & Melton want to bring attention to this nationwide epidemic.

Saldy, thousands of people die every year because of distracted driving, and even more suffer serious injuries. While distracted driving can take many forms, technology has made this dangerous habit even worse. Because of all the social media outlets – Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat, Pinterest, etc., it is hard to take a break from connecting virtually. Cell phones these days allow users to make phone calls, dictate texts or emails, and update social media while driving, which are all actions that are proven to increase the risk of a crash.

A recent study found using cell phones to access social media sites while behind the wheel can be more dangerous than driving under the influence of alcohol. Scary thought, right? The Transport Research Laboratory and the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) found driver’s’ reaction times slowed by 38 percent when using their mobile phones to access social media sites while driving. In comparison, drivers operating under the influence of alcohol have a typical delayed reaction of 12 percent.

Distracted driving goes beyond our cell phones. Drivers do many things that take their hands and minds off the road, including eating, reading, reaching for objects in the car, looking at something going on outside their vehicle, and applying makeup. According to a 2015 report from Erie Insurance, daydreaming is the most deadly form of distracted driving.

Our Villages Auto Accident Lawyers at Whittel & Melton encourage everyone to take a look at their driving habits and make any necessary changes. By making the smallest adjustment, you could make the roads a safer place.

If you or someone you know has been involved in a collision with a distracted driver, we can help obtain compensation for all damages. For a free consultation, call us at 352-369-5334 or contact us online. We can begin assisting with an injury or wrongful death claim today.