Emotionally Distracted Driving Leads to Collisions, Study Says

Recent research from Virginia Tech’s Transportation Institute found that emotionally charged driving increases one’s risk of becoming involved in an accident.

The study found that operating a vehicle while visibly sad, angry, or agitated increases the odds of being in a crash nearly tenfold. ABC News recently reported on the Virginia Tech study’s findings, saying that more than a third of the nation’s 11 million annual crashes could be prevented if distractions behind the wheel were eliminated.

Dangerous Distractions Behind the Wheel

The following are a few driver distractions the study looked at:

• Smartphones
• Adjusting climate control
• Eating while driving
• Using the car’s touch-screen display
• Reaching for an out-of-reach object
• Dialing a cell phone

The researchers at Virginia Tech found that the best drivers are alert, attentive, and sober – no surprise there. To be an alert and safe driver, you must be sober. We have all been in situations where a driver in front of us slams on the brakes or does something unpredictable. Alert drivers are best equipped to handle these scenarios and maneuver safely out of a dangerous situation.

When you’re distracted, you won’t be able to react quickly in an emergency. Drivers also need to understand that driving under the influence of even a small amount of alcohol is still dangerous. Just one drink can impair your ability to be alert and attentive behind the wheel, even if you’re not over the legal limit.

Distracted Driving Accidents in The Villages

Whether you or someone you love has been injured in a crash involving a distracted, drunk, or emotionally charged driver, it is always a good idea to speak with a Villages Auto Accident Lawyer at Whittel & Melton about your case as soon as possible.

Call us today at 352-369-5334 for a free consultation.