Texting while driving is perhaps one of the most dangerous and selfish things that a human being can do. Countless studies have shown that the risk a driver puts others in when they text at the wheel is sky-high. When you text and drive, you’re basically prioritizing your social life or anything else that can wait until later, over everyone else’s safety, and increasing the chances of an auto accident on the road. With that being said, just cause you to follow the rules of the road and avoid texting while driving, doesn’t guarantee that other people will be as conscientious. You might end up being on the receiving end of a fender bender, and all of a sudden need car insurance. But where to turn when caught up in this terrible predicament? We’ve got a lead on the best car accident lawyer Raleigh NC has to offer. The Bishop Law Firm provides anyone who has suffered at the hands of careless drivers with a free personal injury case evaluation. Jack Keener, Attorney at Law, is your go-to lawyer for getting your personal injury case taken care of. Keener genuinely enjoys protecting the rights of injured NC clients and knows all too well how difficult the NC personal injury claim process can end up being, regardless of if these are minor accidents or not. With the insurance side of things being covered, if you ever find yourself in that unfortunate situation, let’s take a look at some solid reasons why you should never text while driving.
Your odds at crashing soar through the roof.
Yep, as if it wasn’t already obvious enough, your chances of crashing when you text as you drive, skyrocket by 23 times. The National Safety Council also reports that, on a yearly average, 1.6 million car crashes happen due to drivers texting at the wheel. Not only are you almost two dozen times more likely to be in a car wreck should you text while driving, but you’ll be one of the 1.6 million crashes that are completely avoidable.
You actively put other innocent people’s lives at risk.
As we’ll say, again and again, texting while driving is a purely selfish, and dangerous, decision. The statistics don’t lie. One of those accidents that are 23 times more likely to occur, could involve a kid on a bike popping up out of nowhere or just running across the street, as they often do. An undistracted driver would easily avoid a tragedy, but one who is texting is a different story. Just stewing over the sheer amount of sadness and devastation that you could bring that kid’s family, should be enough to make sure the phone stays in the cupholder while you’re driving.
You drastically reduce your reaction time
A study conducted by the Transport Research Lab reports that when you text while driving, you cut your reaction time by as much as 37%. Just to put that number into perspective, when you drink and drive you can cut your reaction time by 13%. That is no small disparity whatsoever! Obviously, it should go without saying, but there should be a 0% cut from your reaction time. Add any kind of testy driving conditions like ice, snow, or rain, and you’ve got yourself a recipe for disaster. Just don’t do it.
It’s excruciatingly easy to just pull over
If all of these terrifying studies we’ve referenced thus far don’t have you convinced that driving while texting is a bad move, then just consider how easy it is to simply pull the car over. If the call or text that you see your phone buzzing about is so important that you must address it as soon as possible, then make the safe and easy movement of pulling the car over.
It might be illegal
Depending on what state you’re in, the act of driving while texting might actually be breaking the law. If you get caught by a cop in a state that this is illegal in, then you run the risk of getting hit with a hefty fine. If that monetary consequence isn’t enough to keep you away, then consider the fact that you could wind up in jail if you cause an accident.
