Latest Studies on Cell Phone Texting Related Distracted Driving Crashes

If a terrorist group, in one year, were responsible for killing 5,474 Americans and injuring 448,000 more, it would be considered the greatest disaster this country has ever faced.

Imagine the devastation of injuries and death approaching half a million? Such devastation would be equivalent to injuring or killing nearly every man, woman and child in a city the size of Denver, Honolulu, or Washington D.C.

However, the latest data that has been accumulated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for crashes from 2009 shows just such a level of carnage. Shockingly, in 2009, distracted driver accidents killed 5,474 people on US roadways and injured an estimated additional 448,000 more. In fact, in 2009, 20% of all auto crashes with injuries were caused by distracted drivers.

Not surprisingly, in 2009, the age group with the greatest proportion of distracted driving was the under 20 age group. 16% of all fatal crashes reported in 2009, were due to distracted driving of drivers under age 20.

But certain statistics are even more surprising. For example the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reports those drivers who use handheld devices are 4 times more likely to cause a serious injury crash than those who don't.

According to a study conducted out of the University of Utah, using a cell phone while driving, whether a hand-held or hands-free, delays a driver's reactions as much as drivers with a blood alcohol level of DUI, .08%.

Anderson Hemmat joins its voice with the cries of so many others for drivers to put down their cell phone when driving. The risk is just not worth it. We of course realize that for some, the only way their behavior will ever change is if they are held financially responsible for their selfish negligence. S if you have been injured because of someone else's distraction and negligence, please call us today.

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