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Washington Drivers: More Distracted Than Ever

Our cars have become safer, but Washington drivers have become worse. The culprit: electronic gadgetry.

We used to be occasionally distracted behind the wheel by fumbling with a folded map or spilling coffee, but our vehicles now look more like a cross between a 747 cockpit and an office cubicle.

Going at a rapid pace from cell phones to texting to posting messages on Facebook, all while listening to music, programming the navigation system and setting the cruise control speed, some drivers don't really have much time left to do the actual driving. The results are catastrophic:

• 16 percent of injury crashes in 2009 involved distracted driving (NHTSA);
• This represented 5.474 people killed and 448,000 injured (FARS);
• The age group with the greatest proportion of distracted drivers is the under-20 age group; 16 percent of fatal crashes in this group involved distracted driving (NHTSA);
• Using a cell phone while driving delays a driver's reactions as much as having blood alcohol concentration at 0.08 (the legal limit).

These statistics do not reflect the tragic reality. If you lose your child or your spouse in a Washington car crash because someone was trying to post a silly comment on Facebook, how can you accept the absurdity and the injustice of what happened?

When, a couple of years ago, cell phone usage would be pointed at as a major distraction, what is the level of inattention now with smart phones and internet connections allowing you to read and send email, watch videos and chat on Facebook or Twitter?

Distracted driving happens when you:

• Take your eyes off the road;
• Take your hands off the wheel;
• Take your mind off what you are doing.

In 4 seconds, the time it takes you to scroll through an email on your Blackberry, you have done the equivalent of driving the length of a football field at 60 mph with your eyes shut.

Think it over, and discuss with your friends and loved ones. Establish rules, but most of all, change the habits.

At Monro Law Firm, we are dedicated to the safety of our clients. If you or a loved one has been hurt in a Washington car crash caused by a distracted driver, you may be eligible to receive compensation for your injuries.

Call us today at 425-335-3237 or toll free at 866-976-6433, and see how we can help you.