A recent study discovered that on a daily basis, many people in Connecticut become distracted while operating a vehicle.
In Connecticut, according to Distraction.gov, drivers are not allowed to use a handheld device as they operate a vehicle and they are also not allowed to text while their vehicle is in motion. Despite these laws and the stiff penalties associated with violating one of these provisions, many drivers in the state continue to become distracted by texting while driving or engaging in other activities behind the wheel.
How prevalent is distracted driving in Connecticut?
In a recent study, commissioned by the Connecticut Department of Transportation, researchers observed drivers in seven Connecticut towns at 35 different locations. As a result, the researchers discovered that on any given day, 11.1 million instances of distracted driving occur on local roads in the state. This means that approximately 10 percent of all drivers on local roads in Connecticut become distracted while operating a vehicle daily.
Since drivers in Connecticut continue to become distracted by their cellphone or when they perform another activity behind the wheel, many drivers, passengers, and pedestrians are injured or killed every day. On a daily basis in the U.S., more than nine people die and more than 1,153 people are injured in collisions involving driver distraction, states the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Distracted driving defined
Although Connecticut’s cellphone laws are designed to reduce the number of drivers who become distracted behind the wheel, there are many other forms of distraction that can result in serious and fatal car accidents. According to the CDC, distracted driving includes any activity that takes a driver’s full attention away from the road. For example, a driver can become distracted when he or she:
Interacts with other passengers in the vehicle
Tries to perform personal grooming activities, like shaving or putting on makeup, behind the wheel
Switches the radio station while his or her vehicle is in motion
Attempts to eat or drink while commuting to work
Uses a GPS device to get directions to his or her destination
Additionally, distracted driving activities can be divided into three separate categories. The CDC states that the three primary forms of distracted driving that exist include manual, cognitive, and visual distractions.
Contact an attorney
Those who are involved in a Connecticut car accident caused by a distracted driver may suffer from injuries that require significant medical and rehabilitative care. If you were recently injured in a car accident, turn to an attorney to determine what you can do to protect your legal and financial interests at this time.
