Distracted driving kills nine people each day in the United States and injures another 1,000, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Anything that takes your mind away from driving is a distraction, whether it’s reading or sending a text message, talking on a cell phone or eating.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that distracted drivers cause nearly 16% of all injuries suffered in vehicle crashes. In 2015, 391,000 people were injured and 3,477 were killed.
Main forms of distraction
The CDC lists three basic types of distracted driving:
- Visual: Taking your eyes off the road
- Manual: Taking your hands off the steering wheel
- Cognitive: Letting your mind wander while driving
Young adults and teens are most susceptible
Drivers under the age of 20 are involved in the highest number of distraction-related fatal crashes, and in 2017, distracted teen drivers accounted for 9% of all fatalities. The CDC found that same year that 42% of all high school students surveyed reported sending an email or text while driving. The agency also found that teens texting while driving are also:
- Less likely to wear seat belts
- More likely to ride with a drunk driver
- More likely the drink and drive themselves
Connecticut’s largest cities see the most accidents
Statistics from the Travelers Institute and researchers at the University of Connecticut found New Haven, Hartford and Bridgeport reported the most distracted driving crashes between 2015 and 2018. New Britain ranked in the top 20 in the report.
Seek legal advice if you’ve been injured in a crash
Distracted driving has claimed thousands of lives and injured countless others, some suffering long-lasting or permanent health issues and creating massive medical bills, lost wages and other related costs. If you have been injured as a result of someone’s negligence, an experienced personal injury attorney can help you receive the compensation you deserve.
