Study: Many Cannot Resist Texting And Driving

A new survey found that although drivers recognize the dangers of texting while driving, many cannot resist the urge to engage in this activity.

Many drivers can’t resist texting and driving in California, despite the realization that texting and driving is dangerous. According to a 2013 California Traffic Safety Survey, approximately 48 percent of Californians surveyed said that texting is the most serious distraction for drivers. Additionally, to prevent the number of car accidents caused by texting drivers, it is illegal for all drivers in the state to text and drive. Despite this ban and many drivers’ recognition of the dangers of texting on their phone while driving, a new study found that many drivers cannot resist the urge to text behind the wheel. In the last 10 years, personal injury law firm, Alfonso & Berriz, APC, has noted an increase of collisions caused by texting. “Of course, drivers find it difficult to admit they were texting or otherwise distracted by their mobile devices, so we look at the circumstances of the collision and can argue driver’s negligence, even if the driver’s don’t admit they were texting,” says attorney Armando J. Berriz.

Important findings

According to Time, this survey of over 900 drivers found that 18 percent of the participants cannot control their desire to send or check text messages behind the wheel. Additionally, 17 percent of the 18 to 34-year-old drivers said that they texted while driving regularly or often. Seven percent of the participants between the ages of 35 to 54 also admitted to the same. Although many of the participants said that they could not resist texting and driving, 87 percent of the respondents said that they knew texting or checking their e-mail while driving is dangerous.

Why texting and driving is so dangerous

Although texting while driving is a hazardous activity, a distracted driver can elevate his or her risk of causing a car accident by performing any action that takes his or her full attention away from driving. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are three primary types of driver distraction, which include:

  • Cognitive distraction – drivers become cognitively distracted when they are no longer focused on driving. For example, a driver who intently focuses on what he or she has to accomplish at work is cognitively distracted.
  • Manual distraction – when drivers take their hands off of the steering wheel, they are manually distracted. For instance, when a driver reaches for a CD on the passenger seat, he or she is manually distracted.
  • Visual distraction – this type of distraction occurs when drivers take their eyes away from the road in front of them. For example, a driver is visually distracted when he or she looks at his or her GPS device to get directions.

However, texting and driving is one of the most dangerous types of inattentive driving because it involves cognitive, manual and visual distraction. “Indeed, I’ve made the argument that texting and driving is as dangerous as, if not more, than drunk driving. At least drunk drivers are arguably paying more attention, even though they are at a cognitive disadvantage. Texting drivers are moving down the roadway at high speeds in a several thousand pound vehicle, essentially without looking at the roadway for 5-6 seconds at a time! Collisions occur in milliseconds. Texting and driving is a recipe for disaster,” says Berriz.

Seeking compensation

Those involved in an accident in California caused by a distracted driver may sustain injuries that result in physical, emotional and financial harm. If you were injured in a collision and suspect the other driver was distracted, call an attorney, like the ones at Alfonso & Berriz, APC, personal injury attorneys, to determine what compensation may be available to you.

Keywords: texting, distracted, driving, accident

Concussions After Collisions

A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury that occurs as a consequence of an injury to the head. Post-concussion syndrome (PCS) refers to a complex set of symptoms that develops in some people who have sustained a head injury and includes headaches, dizziness,...

California Distracted Driving Laws: Do They Lag Behind New Technology?

Many people in Westlake Village have experienced near misses or outright accidents involving distracted drivers. A 2013 survey from California's Office of Traffic Safety found that almost 7 out of 10 respondents had been hit or almost hit by a driver who was talking...

Bill Would Use Amber Alert System To Find Hit-And-Run Drivers

On behalf of Armando Berriz Proposal comes after steep rise in hit-and-run accidents in Los Angeles A state lawmaker has introduced a bill that would use California's Amber Alert system to catch hit-and-run drivers, according to the Los Angeles Times. The proposal,...

Bike Injuries On The Rise For California Cyclists

  Research has shown that injuries and traffic-related deaths among bicyclists have risen, despite laws in place to protect those who pedal. The Journal of the American Medical Association recently published a study from the University of California that...

Curabitur non nulla sit amet nisl tempus

Motor Vehicle Accidents

When the firm takes on a case, they do everything in their power to secure the maximum compensation possible.

Premises Liability

If you have been injured on someone’s property, you may be able to recover compensation in a premises liability suit.

Product Liability

When an individual purchases a product, there is an assumption that the product has been manufactured using good materials…

Nursing home negligence

Abuse and neglect are difficult to spot, especially since families are not at the nursing home 24 hours a day.

Construction accidents

Construction accidents are some of the most unfortunate and common workplace accidents that occur…

Types Of Injuries

Your lack of health insurance should not prevent you from receiving the top-notch treatment…
Contact Our Firm
We stand ready to hold the insurance company accountable and get you the help you need. Contact us today for a free initial consultation with our Ventura County personal injury lawyers. We represent clients in Southern California communities such as Thousand Oaks and Westlake Village.

2 + 7 =

Skip to content