[clickToTweet tweet=”The dangers of texting and driving do not begin and end with teenagers or inexperienced drivers.” quote=”Despite what some people are still inclined to believe, the dangers of texting and driving do not begin and end with teenagers or inexperienced drivers.”]
While a lot of people are happy to believe that texting is a folly of the young—like having too much homework or not being able to hang out with friends on school nights—this is simply not the case. In fact, according to a new study from AAA, the opposite is true. According to this new research, teens and young adults are actually not the biggest offenders of texting while driving. Adults are.
That’s Right—Adults
Yes, you read that right. And no, the study is not faulty. According to AAA, drivers between the ages of 25 and 39 were actually two times more likely than younger drivers to report using a cell phone while driving. This includes the whole gamut of cell phone uses, from reading and sending text messages, to surfing the web, to making and answering phone calls.
The researchers behind this study do admit the possibility that adults were simply more honest in their answers than their younger counterparts, but even given that possibility, this information should be a sobering wake-up call for all drivers. Texting while driving is something that everyone is guilty of. It is a problem that transcends demographics and everybody—men and women, young and old—should treat it seriously.
So why are adults ages 25 to 39 doing so much texting while driving? There are a number of possible reasons:
- Older men and women may believe that they are simply above the risks, assuming that even though car accidents do occur as a result of texting while driving, they will not happen to them.
- They trust their driving skills more than their younger and more inexperienced counterparts.
- They think they can get away with it, since law enforcement officials are so focused on catching young people.
Whatever the reason, the fact is the same—distracted driving poses as much of a risk for adults as it does for teens. No one is immune to the dangers of distracted driving—car accidents can happen anywhere and to anyone.
The Dangers of Distracted Driving
The study from AAA also reveals that the offence that most people are guilty of is actually not texting—it’s talking on the phone. While this may seem like a silver lining—maybe all those “don’t text and drive” campaigns are making a difference!—as long as accidents are being caused as a result of distracted driving, we cannot consider ourselves victorious. And despite popular belief, talking on a phone can be distracting just like sending or receiving texts is.
All drivers need to be aware that there is far more to distracted driving than simply sending and receiving text messages. Distracted driving also encompasses:
- Talking on the phone
- Talking to passengers
- Playing games
- Surfing the web—including checking Facebook
- Eating and drinking
- Using your GPS
- Playing music
- Rubbernecking
- And more
All of these actions are unsafe, no matter who is performing them. Distracted driving of any sort can result in a variety of horrible consequences, including:
- Serious physical injury, and sometimes even death
- Thousands of dollars’ worth of damage to your vehicle
- Injuries to innocent bicyclists or pedestrians
- Skyrocketing insurance payments
Considering the possible consequences, texting, talking, or playing games while driving is simply not worth it.
Take Action – Work with a Personal Injury Attorney
Despite the dangers and numerous promotional campaigns that attempt to raise awareness and end the distracted driving epidemic, accidents continue to occur on a daily basis as a result of texting and driving.
If you have been hit by a distracted driver, it is extremely important for you to take action. Send a message to distracted drivers everywhere that the dangers of texting and driving are very real and that they are not limited only to young people. Make sure that the driver, whatever his or her age, is held accountable.
If you have been injured at the hands of a distracted driver, contact the law offices of Lawlor, White & Murphey. Our lawyers will help you not only get the justice you deserve, but will help you make the roads a little bit safer.
About the Author:A partner at Lawlor, White & Murphey and a distinguished personal injury lawyer, Ben Murphey tries complex disputes that include civil appeals, maritime and admiralty claims, wrongful death, and labor disputes. Mr. Murphey has been recognized for his excellence in the area of personal injury litigation by being rewarded with a 10/10 Avvo Rating and named a Super Lawyers “Rising Star” for the last four consecutive years (2011-2014). Mr. Murphey regularly tries cases in state and federal courts around the country, being admitted to practice before all Florida courts and the United States Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit.