Distracted Driving Continues to Put Drivers, Others at Risk

Despite campaigns by Colorado and other states to raise awareness of distracted driving risks and encourage drivers to keep their attention on the road, distracted driving continues to claim thousands of lives throughout the U.S. each year and to cause serious injuries to drivers, motorcyclists, pedestrians, and others on the road.  Many experienced Colorado distracted driving injury attorneys have seen too many clients injured by just a moment’s loss of focus.

Distracted Driving Continues to Put Drivers, Others at RiskIn 2011, the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) released a detailed study of distracted driving. Key findings included:

Most drivers are distracted between 25 and 50 percent of the time while they are behind the wheel.

  • About two-thirds of all drivers admit to using their cell phones to make or receive calls while driving. Seven to ten percent of drivers on the roads at any given time are on their phones.
  • About one-eighth of all drivers admit to texting while driving.  About one percent of drivers on the roads at any given time are sending or reading text messages, despite bans on this behavior that have been recently enacted in several states.
  • Between 15 and 30 percent of accidents involve at least one driver who was distracted.

The GHSA recommends a number of measures to combat distracted driving. Drivers can play their part by avoiding distractions as much as possible while behind the wheel. Avoid eating, drinking, or using cell phones or other devices, and drive only when you’re well-rested and alert. Focusing on the road can help you protect not only those in your own vehicle, but those who share the roads as well.