How to Prevent Distracted Driving Accidents

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, over 3,000 people died in 2010 because of distracted driving. Almost all of these accidents were preventable, and many of them were due to the increased usage of cell phones while driving. The severity of the problem has garnered national attention and many states are making tougher laws to try to prevent further increases in distracted driving accidents.

Here’s how you can help maintain road safety and prevent distracted driving accidents:

• Put your phone away. Operating a phone while driving not only takes your eyes off the road and your hands off the wheel, but it distracts your mind as well. In fact, a phone call can decrease the amount of brain activity associated with the act of driving by 37 percent.
• Just drive. Don’t eat, drink, read, put on makeup or do anything in the car that will distract you from the task at hand.
• Use a headset. If you must talk on the phone, use a headset so that your hands are free. Never text! Text messaging can increase your risk of a crash by more than 20 percent.
• Educate your kids. Texting and cell phone use among teens has soared in recent years. If you have kids, it’s important you make them aware of the huge risk of distracted driving.

A knowledgeable attorney can help you if you have been in an accident caused by a distracted driver. Contact Howie Law Firm LLC for your free consultation for personal injury cases today. They serve clients in Annapolis, and throughout Maryland.