Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog
For the third year in a row, the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety is asking that all drivers put down the distractions during the “Heads Up Driving Week” campaign.
This year’s event is taking place from October 2nd to the 8th. During this time, and throughout the rest of the year, drivers should place their full attention on the roadway to help prevent distracted driving car accidents in Chicago and elsewhere.
AAA asks that you give it a whirl for just a week to see if your driving abilities improve. While you’re at it, ask your friends and family members to try it too!
Our Chicago car accident attorneys understand that there are about 8,000 accidents that occur every day because of distracted drivers. All of these traffic crashes are preventable with a little more attention. Distracted driving doesn’t only include the use of a cell phone. It can also mean eating, applying makeup, listening to music too loudly and interacting with passengers while driving. Numerous studies have been conducted on this dangerous driving behavior and the conclusions have all been the same — distractions increase you risks for a fatal accident.
Distracted driving facts:
-More than a million people have been killed because of car accidents in U.S. in the last 25 years. Nearly 34,000 of these lives were lost in 2010.
-Studies reveal that drivers spend more than half of their driving time engaging in a distracting behavior.
-You are four times more likely to be involved in a car accident when engaging in distractions.
-Distractions can also include rubbernecking, eating, smoking and playing with the radio and they are just as dangerous as playing with a hand-held communication device.
-The number one reported distraction has been other passengers. Children are four times as distracting as adults and infants are at least 8 times as distracting.
According to a recent survey, more than 90 percent of drivers think that emailing and texting behind the wheel is unacceptable. Nearly 90 percent say that they support law prohibiting reading, typing or sending text messages while driving. Even with these viewpoints though, roughly a third of surveyed drivers reported that they had engaged in the dangerous driving behavior at least once in the last month.
It’s no secret that each of us have a lot on our plate and a lot to get done before the end of the day. But we need to keep a car accident off that list. Drivers should focus all of their attention on the roadway when behind the wheel of a motor vehicle. These types of accidents are completely preventable and only take a little discipline and a little responsibility to avoid. Please participate in the week-long campaign and urge your loved ones to get involved as well. Paying more attention behind the wheel can help to save lives on our roadways. Get involved!
If you or a loved one has been involved in a car accident with a distracted driver, the Chicago injury attorneys and wrongful death lawyers at Abels & Annes would like to offer you a free and confidential consultation to discuss your rights. Call (866) 99-ABELS. There is no fee unless you win.
More Blog Entries:
Study Focuses on Countermeasures to Reduce Risks of Distracted-Driving Car Accidents in Illinois and Elsewhere
September 26, 2011
Fatal Distracted-Driving Car Accident in Chicago Could Result in Serious Criminal Charges
September 15, 2011