Cell Phones Are Not The Only Distractions On The Roads

Texting and driving, watching videos, or even just holding a cell phone in your hand while behind the wheel are all extremely dangerous behaviors. So dangerous, in fact, that Tennessee lawmakers have made it illegal to use a handheld device while operating a vehicle. Unfortunately, drivers face many other distractions on the road that do not involve their cell phone, and these are not necessarily against the law.

Still, all drivers have a legal duty to pay attention and focus on the road ahead of them when they are behind the wheel. Any time someone fails to meet this duty, they can be held liable for paying financial compensation for any accident they cause. Below, our Knoxville auto accident attorney explains more.

How Dangerous is Distracted Driving in Knoxville?

Texting and driving is one of the most dangerous forms of distracted driving. Tennessee is actually the state with the highest fatalities due to distracted driving in the entire country. According to the Tennessee Department of Transportation, a distracted driving accident happens every 24 minutes in the state.

The statistic is not all that surprising. Using a phone while operating a vehicle makes a driver more susceptible to veering into another lane, failing to keep the right distance between them and other vehicles, and they also have slower reaction times. All of this together means that drivers who use a phone while driving are four times more likely to be involved in a crash than drivers who do not, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

The stats clearly show that using a cell phone while driving is certainly dangerous. Unfortunately, this is not the only type of distracted driving that can lead to a crash.

Other Types of Distracted Driving

While texting and driving is certainly dangerous, other distractions can also cause a driver to hit other motorists. The most common of these include:

• Eating and drinking: Whether it is a cup of coffee on the way into work, or a quick bite on the way home, eating and drinking requires a driver to take their hands off the wheel and their eyes off the road.
• Loud music: Loud music in a car can make it impossible to hear police sirens, ambulances, and mechanical failures within a vehicle.
• Adjusting car systems: Adjusting radio knobs, looking at GPS systems, and using other in-vehicle systems also require drivers to take their hands off the wheel and their eyes off the road.
• Rowdy passengers: Loud and rowdy passengers can also make it difficult for drivers to hear their surroundings. Drivers may also turn to face the other occupants of the car, which is very dangerous.

Call Our Auto Accident Attorney in Knoxville Today

If you or someone you love has been injured in a crash caused by a distracted driver, our Knoxville auto accident attorney at Atkins Brezina, PLLC can help. Our seasoned attorney has extensive experience holding negligent drivers liable for their actions, and we will put that expertise to work for you, too. Call us now at 865-500-3121 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation.

Sources:

tn.gov/safety/stats/dashboards/distracted-driver.html

who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/road-traffic-injuries