In a survey conducted by The Zebra, 38% of drivers aged 18 to 24 admitted to texting while on the road. The problem is clearly not a lack of education, as the overwhelming majority of drivers know that what they are doing is wrong. In New York, as elsewhere in the U.S., this means that a great many accidents are caused by drivers who never thought it could have happened to them.
There are three forms of distractions: cognitive, visual and manual. In short, the first distracts the mind, the second the eyes and the third the hands. While phone use comprises all three, something as simple as eating and drinking or changing radio stations can prove to be dangerous to drivers. The following five tips, though, can keep drivers, especially teen drivers, from falling into these dangers.
The first step is to make the proper adjustments before heading out: Adjust the mirrors, the navigation system, and the seat. Teens should also limit the number of passengers. While on the road, one must be a proactive, not a reactive, driver. One should try to foresee other drivers’ next move.
The phone should be put in the glove compartment or somewhere else where it cannot tempt the driver. Drivers can pull over if they absolutely must call or answer a call.
When distractions are to blame for motor vehicle accidents, those who were not at fault may ponder filing a personal injury claim. New York is a no-fault state, so third-party insurance claims are possible only in cases of severe, usually disabling, injuries. To see what their options are and how much they might be eligible for, victims may consult a lawyer. The lawyer, to build up the case with the necessary evidence, may hire third-party crash investigators.