April Is Distracted Driving Awareness Month

Distracted Driving Still on the Rise, Especially Among Teens

Welcome to the Law Office of Manning Zimmerman & Oliveira PLLC’s newsletter focusing on the dangers of distracted driving and what you can do to prevent tragedy from striking in your life.

This article from AAA indicates that Americans drive the fewest miles during the winter months. Once April rolls around and the sun shines a bit brighter, the mileage goes up as we shake off the winter doldrums. As a result, more miles behind the wheel also means more chances to become distracted and, unfortunately, those distractions – like texting, talking, eating, adjusting a radio, checking a map, applying makeup and many more – can have deadly consequences. This CNN article asks, “When you are driving, how often do you see other drivers checking their phones while behind the wheel? And, be honest, how often do you do it yourself?”

Entering Distracted Driving Awareness Month 2016, we note that the number of injuries and deaths from driving distracted continues to rise, especially among teenagers. The increase is perhaps due to our obsession with mobile technology or our love affair with the car or just the increasingly frantic pace of our lives (no one is quite sure). This we do know: Distracted driving is a problem that is 100 percent preventable! Before you send that next text message or order that double cheeseburger to go, you should know the dangers of distracted driving and what you can do to prevent tragedy from striking in your life.

Start driving more safely here.

BY THE NUMBERS 3,179
Killed

In 2014, 3,179 people were killed and 431,000 people injured in motor vehicle crashes involving distracted drivers.

660,000
Vehicles

At any given time on U.S. roads, there are 660,000 vehicles being driven by someone using a hand-held phone.

10%
Fatalities

In 2013, 10 percent of all drivers aged 15 to 19 involved in fatal crashes were reported as distracted at the time of the crash.

BOOKMARK FAVORITES

Little Distractions Add Up to Big Trouble Behind the Wheel

An estimated nine people die and more than 1,000 are injured every day in crashes that involve distracted driving, according to the National Safety Council. View video.

New Hands-Free Systems Still Not Risk-Free

A recent AAA study showed that drivers are still distracted while using the new hands-free systems found in many new vehicles. View video.

“Moment of Silence” Campaign Fights Distracted Walking

SafeKids.org has partnered with FedEx in this public service campaign highlighting the dangers of distracted walking, especially among young people. View video.