Is Distracted Driving More Dangerous Than Drunk Driving?

New research has led many in the transportation industry to believe that distracted driving can be more dangerous than driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

There is a stigma associated with drunk driving that influences drivers’ decisions not to drink and drive. For decades the media and public policy organizations have been preaching about the dangers of drunk driving. And while people continue to drink and drive, many people refrain from drinking and driving because of the known penalties and consequences associated with the offense.

Up until recently distracted driving wasn’t getting much attention. Warnings would be made about the dangers of using a cell phone while driving, but drivers continued to talk anyway. It wasn’t until recently that people began investigating the dangers of driving while distracted. What this research found has shocked everyone, as most people didn’t realize just how dangerous distracted driving can be. A study from 2008 said that distracted driving (such as texting or using a cell phone while driving) led to 6,000 deaths and half a million injuries. Research from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration found that drivers who text while driving are more than 20 times more likely to be involved in an accident than a none distracted driver. The same study also found that drivers who text take their eyes off the road for 4.6 out of 6 seconds, which is the equivalent of driving the length of a football field, including end zones, without looking at the road.

So is distracted driving more dangerous than drunk driving? That will always be debatable. One study says 4 out of every 5 accidents are caused by distracted driving compared to just 1 out of 3 accident caused by drunk driving. The important thing to remember is to drive responsibly at all times. Don’t put yourself or others in danger or at risk of suffering a serious or life-changing injury.

In that event that you or a loved one is injured or killed by a distracted driver, you may be eligible to recover compensation in a personal injury lawsuit. A knowledgeable personal injury attorney can review the circumstances of your accident and see to it that your rights are protected while helping you pursue an injury lawsuit.