These days, most people in Louisiana and elsewhere cannot leave their house without making sure they have their cellphone. While these devices can serve a number of useful purposes, they can also cause distraction in various parts of people’s lives. Many individuals may sneak a peek at social media while sitting in an office meeting or text a friend about plans later. While this may seem harmless, distracted driving certainly is not.
In a recent survey, respondents were asked various questions regarding cellphone use and distraction while driving. Of the respondents, 37% indicated that they completely agree that cellphone distractions impair driving ability. However, nearly 30% also indicated that they text and drive and that it is their biggest distraction while behind the wheel.
In some cases, individuals indicated that they felt pressure to respond to text messages even though they were driving, especially if the texts were work-related. Unfortunately, texting is not the only cellphone-related distraction as other respondents indicated that they have taken pictures while driving and had video chats while behind the wheel. It is also not usual for drivers to check social media.
Distracted driving is a significant issue as thousands of people are injured and killed every year in accidents in which distraction played a role. If Louisiana residents are injured or lose a loved one due to a crash caused by a distracted driver, they may want to consider their legal options. Personal injury or wrongful death claims could allow them to seek compensation for damages resulting from such incidents.