Louisiana high on the list of distracted driver statistics

Distracted driving is a known problem. Any amount of time a driver removes his or her attention from driving, it can place others in danger of being injured or killed in an auto accident. Studies are frequently done to determine severity. These can be useful for legislators and law enforcement to devise ways to put a stop to it. A recent study indicates that Louisiana is one of the worst states for distracted driving in the U.S.

Information from the driving safety app Everdrive found that drivers in Mississippi are most likely to be distracted when driving. Along with Georgia and Alabama, Louisiana is one of the next worst for distracted driving as more than 40 percent of trips involved drivers using their cellphones when driving in 2017. While these states were at the top, this is an issue everywhere. States that are taking the initiative with regulating drivers using their phones behind the wheel were found to be safer. Washington, Hawaii, Oregon and Vermont have all outlawed drivers using handheld devices when driving.

Statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) show that distracted driving is a major risk. In 2015, there were 391,000 injuries and close to 3,500 fatalities because of it. It is not just cellphones that are causing distractions. Drivers who change the radio station or eat behind the wheel are also distracted. The information from Everdrive was accrued by assessing 300,000 people who used its app. It is believed that the numbers could be worse than the app suggests making it more of a problem for those on the road.

When there is an auto accident, distracted driving has become so problematic that there is an automatic belief that it was the cause. Regardless, any crash can lead to medical expenses, lost time at work and more. When there is a fatal accident, people will need to learn to get beyond the emotional impact of a sudden death. A legal filing can help with these issues. A law firm experienced in helping those who have been affected by car accidents can assist with the investigation and pursuing a legal case.

Source: Time, “Drivers in These States Are Most Likely to Be Distracted By Their Phone,” David Johnson, April 18, 2018