The topic of distracted driving-related car accidents in Indiana has been a common topic of discussion in recent years. Both the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety and the Ball State Office of Health Education has been working diligently to spread the word about the dangers and the consequences of driver distractions, according to BSU Daily News.Both organizations have been asking residents to sign a pledge to get drivers to curb distractions while driving. AAA and the Ball State groups push the “Heads-Up Driving Week,” which takes place from October 2nd through the 8th. Recently the Ball State Office of Health Education set up a location in the Atrium for students to sign the “distracted driving pledge” as a part of the “Plz Dnt Txt N Drive” campaign. AAA is asking drivers across the state to do the same. The “Heads-Up Driving Week” asks that motorists across the nation sign a pledge to put away all driver distractions for the entire week.
Our Highland car accident attorneys understand how many innocent motorists’ lives are taken because of distracted driving-related traffic accidents. In 2009, there were approximately 5,500 lives lost on our roadways because of these accidents. The good news is that these accidents are completely preventable. All we need is participation from drivers of all ages in the state.
“We are trying to raise awareness about the dangers of distracted driving and the Indiana state law that went into effect in July,” said Julie Sturek, from Ball State Office of Health Education.
The Indiana law Sturek refers to bans all drivers from using a cell phone while driving. Unfortunately, the distractions don’t stop with cell phone use. Distractions can include smoking, eating, pressing the buttons on the radio, other passengers and “rubbernecking,” whereby drivers slow down to look at vehicle accidents.
Distracted driving facts, according to Ball State Office of Health Education:
-Approximately 20 percent of traffic accidents that resulted in injury in 2009 reported the involvement of a distracted driver.
-Cell phone-using drivers are roughly four times more likely to be involved in a serious car accident.
-The use of a cell phone by a driver gives him or her the same slow reaction time as a driver who is legally drunk (with a blood alcohol concentration of .08).
-Drivers who text at the wheel are six times more likely to be involved in a traffic accident than a driver who is driving while impaired by alcohol.
-Cell phone-related distractions reduce brain activity by nearly 40 percent.
We’re asking all drivers to take the “Heads-Up Driving Week” pledge and agree to curb all distractions for just a week. Distraction-related accidents are completely preventable. The first step in making our roadways safer is making a change within us. Take the pledge and urge your friends and family members to participate.
If you or someone you love has been in a distracted driving-related car accident, call Burton Padove for a free consultation to learn about how to ensure receipt for financial compensation for injuries you or others sustain at 219-836-2200.
Additional Resources:
Texting and driving campaign working to stop distracted drivers, by Crystal Allen, BSU Daily News
More Blog Entries:
New Proposal to Ban Hand-Held Devices Aims to Reduce Risks of Trucking Accidents in Highland and Elsewhere, Indiana Injury And Family Lawyer Blog, September 19, 2011
Students Mourn Victims of Indiana Teen Car Accident – GDL Programs Proven Faulty, Indiana Injury And Family Lawyer Blog, September 15, 2011