April Is Distracted Driving Awareness Month
April is Distracted Driving Awareness month, sponsored by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. State and local enforcement joined forces for a number of activities throughout the month, including aggressively ticketing drivers who are texting or using their mobile devices.
“Distracted driving kills, there is no excuse for it, and it must stop,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx. “Across the country, we’re putting distracted drivers on notice: U Drive. U Text. U Pay. Texting and driving will at least cost you the price of a ticket but it could very well cost you your life or someone else’s.”
Data from the NHTSA reveals that in 2013, at least 3,154 people were killed in car accidents involving distracted drivers, including those who were texting behind the wheel.
In total, the NHTSA estimates that 424,000 Americans sustained injuries in distracted driving accidents in 2013.
Distracted driving statistics
“Young people need to understand the dangers of texting and driving before it kills them or someone they love,” said the Administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Mark Rosekind. “It’s up to us as parents to set the right example by never texting and driving ourselves, and by laying down the law for our young drivers: no texting behind the wheel or no keys to the car. These are driving safety lessons that young drivers will carry with them throughout their lives.”
The NHTSA’s New Distracted Driving fact sheet reveals some shocking statistics:
- 10 percent of fatal crashes, 18 percent of injury crashes and 16 percent of all motor vehicle traffic crashes in 2013 were reported as distracted-affected crashes.
- 10 percent of all drivers aged 15 to 19 involved in fatal crashes were reported as distracted at the time of the crash
- 244 Americans 15 to 19 years of age were killed in distraction-affected crashes.
- 480 non-occupants were killed in distraction-affected crashes in 2013.
The “U Drive. U Text. U Pay.” campaign is supported by a $5 million national television, radio and digital advertising campaign, reminding the public of the deadly consequences of distracted driving and the financial consequences that those who fail to comply with state distracted driving laws will suffer.
New York distracted driving accident lawsuit
There is both a hand-held cellphone ban and a text messaging ban in place for drivers in New York, as this is an activity that requires a person’s full attention. Looking away from the road for even a few seconds can be a detrimental mistake. If you were injured in a car accident caused by a distracted driver, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical bills, pain and suffering and lost wages.
An experienced New York personal injury lawyer from The Sanders Firm can help fight for your rights, to ensure you don’t receive less than you deserve. Our team has more than 45 years of experience defending victims in Long Island, Queens, Manhattan, Bronx and across New York.
Call 1.800.FAIR.PLAY today to schedule a free legal consultation to determine if you have grounds for seeking compensation in a car accident lawsuit. Resources
- Governors Highway Safety Association, New York https://ghsa.org/html/stateinfo/bystate/ny.html
- National Highway Traffic Safety Association, U Drive. U Text. U Pay. Campaign Cracks Down on Distracted Driving https://www.nhtsa.gov/About+NHTSA/Press+Releases/u-drive-u-text-u-pay-distracted-driving-campaign
