A recent article written by Mike Frassinelli of NJ.com[i] has released a new study about driver distractions. Plymouth Rock Assurance conducted a survey which revealed that 12% of drivers have shaved, applied makeup or combed their hair while driving. Five percent of drivers polled have browsed the internet while driving and 9% of driving under the influence of alcohol.
Twenty percent of drivers admitted to texting daily and thirty-nine percent of drivers admitted to texting weekly while driving. According to www.distraction.gov, a third of teens have texted while driving. Over half teenagers say they have talked on a cell phone while driving. The website www.distraction.gov also states that “Texting is the most alarming distraction because it involves manual, visual, and cognitive distraction simultaneously. Sending or reading a text takes your eyes off the road for 4.6 seconds. At 55 mph, that’s like driving the length of an entire football field, blindfolded. It’s extraordinarily dangerous.”
If you are involved in an accident caused by a driver distracted by their cell phone use, it is important to retain a qualified attorney. If the responsible driver was in the course of his employment or making phone calls for business purposes, the driver’s employer may be responsible for the accident, particularly if the employer knew the driver was driving at the time.
Here at Ginarte Gonzalez Winograd L.L.P., LLP, we provide high-caliber representation to New York / New Jersey personal injury victims and their families. Contact our office at 1 (888) GINARTE for free consultation and we will make sure your rights are not lost. You can also use our online contact form.