Staying in touch with friends and loved ones is a priority for most people in California, but it should never come at the cost of another person’s safety. Unfortunately, it often does. Texting and driving continues to be a growing problem, and it does not appear to have an end in sight.
Driving in the smartphone era
According to studies, more and more drivers find distracted driving to be acceptable. Part of this could be because smartphones are more prevalent than ever before, and staying off of them for any stretch of time can be difficult for those who are used to accessing their phones whenever they like. Research shows that an increasing number of drivers are:
- Texting
- Reading and replying to emails
- Engaging with GPS or navigation
This acceptance of dangerous driving behaviors is not because people are not aware of the associated risks. A study from StateFarm found that around 90% of drivers say they know that reading emails while behind the wheel is not safe. Despite this, 30% say they do it anyway. Since studies like this often rely on self-reported behaviors, it is possible that the real number could be even higher. This could be why a different study concluded that at least nine out of 10 drivers have used their smartphone while driving at least once over the past year.
Distracted drivers make California roads more dangerous for everyone. Anyone who has been injured by someone who was texting and driving knows just how difficult it can be to recover from a serious accident, too. Victims often need help dealing with things like medical bills, lost wages and even pain and suffering, which can often be found in compensation secured through successfully navigated personal injury claims.
