April Is Distracted Driving Month

While the pandemic has kept many of us at home and out of the car, our roads are still as dangerous as ever. Traffic records show that, despite the decrease in drivers on the road, 2020 saw over 42,000 people die in car crashes – up 8% from 2019. The National Safety Council says that in 2020, “the fatality rate per 100 million miles driven spiked 24%, the largest annual percentage increase since the council began collecting data in 1923.” The month of April is dedicated to spreading awareness to bring these numbers down.

What Is Distracted Driving?

Distracted driving is “the act of driving while engaging in other activities which distract the driver’s attention away from the road.” There’s even a whole Wikipedia page dedicated to the topic. Driving distracted puts not only the distracted driver at risk, but it endangers every other driver on the road.

Examples Of Distracted Driving

  1. Texting. The number one distraction for drivers is texting. While it might not seem like a big deal, data shows that if you are traveling at 55mph and look down even for a few seconds, it’s like driving the length of a football field without looking at the road. Even using voice-to-text is considered distracting and dangerous.
  2. Talking On The Phone. Handheld, hands-free, or via Bluetooth – it’s all considered too distracting to do while driving. The National Safety Council advises to safely pull over/exit the roadway to make phone calls that can’t wait.
  3. Taking Selfies/Videos or Using Social Media. Facebook Live, Instagram Live and TikTok are fun and intriguing, but are disastrous to do while driving.
  4. Using GPS While The Car Is In Motion. It’s best to start your GPS before you’ve started your trip. Remember to put in your GPS coordinates before moving your vehicle.

Ways To Help

  1. Sign the pledge (and share it!) to show your dedication to driving safely.
  2. Be the change! Save your phone calls and texts for times when you aren’t driving a vehicle. It can wait. And if it can’t, pull over safely and then start driving again once you are done using your phone.
  3. Speak up. If you see someone post a live video of themselves driving, gently remind them that you care about them and their safety. It could help change their perspective and save a life.
  4. Make a promise to never call someone when you know they are driving.
  5. Donate to a non-profit or organization dedicated to driver’s safety awareness.

Together, we can combat distracted driving and help keep each other safe.

Reach Out To A Kansas City Car Accident Attorney For Help

If you or a loved one has been injured in an auto accident due to a distracted driver, please do not hesitate to contact a Kansas City Auto Accident Lawyer at Mohlman Gurney for answers to your questions or to get started with filing a claim. You may be entitled to compensation for lost work, medical bills, and other damages. Call (816) 866-7711 or fill out our convenient online contact form for a free initial consultation. Our team of experienced legal professionals is here to assist you during this difficult time.