Any activity that takes a driver’s eyes off the road, hands off the steering wheel, or takes attention away from the act of driving is considered distracted driving. Millennials, typically defined as individuals born between 1981 and 1997, are often given a bad rap for being the worst offenders of distracted driving. However, in a recent survey conducted by Liberty Mutual Insurance, millennials are not the only generation at fault.
What Does The Survey Say?
True to the stereotype, 86% of the millennial drivers surveyed admitted to using a phone while driving, followed closely by Gen X drivers, individuals born between 1965 and 1980, who came in at 72%. However, 49% of Baby Boomers, individuals born between 1946 and 1964, admitted to looking at their phone while driving. These numbers suggest that distracted driving crosses all generations. Another figure the survey shows is how often a driver will pass off the phone to a passenger to handle an incoming call or text. Millennials were 26% likely to do this while Boomers were only 14% likely. Put simply, all ages and generations are at fault for some form of distracted driving.
What Makes Distracted Driving Dangerous?
Studies show that if a driver takes their attention off the road for even 1.6 seconds, they are far more likely to be involved in a car accident. 1.6 seconds is enough time to miss crucial details and not have the ability to react in time to prevent an accident. Additionally, distracted driving contributed to 3,166 traffic deaths in 2017. Some places are looking into safety measures to deter these numbers. In Montgomery County, Maryland, a new form of technology is being researched, that is similar to red light cameras, which could catch drivers using phones while driving.
Contact An Experienced Warwick Car Accident Lawyer Today!
If you or a loved one was involved in a car accident due to a distracted driver, contact one of our knowledgeable Warwick Car Accident Lawyers. You may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost income and pain and suffering, among other losses. Contact our Warwick office anytime at 401-490-6907 or fill out a contact form online for a free (no obligation) case evaluation.
Source:
Paul d’Oliveira
Attorney Paul d’Oliveira has been practicing personal injury and disability law for over 30 years. He started his personal injury law practice in 1989 with two offices in Fall River, MA and East Providence, RI. Today his firm has 16 offices in RI and Southeastern, MA.
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