Do Smartphones cause Car Accidents?
Driver distraction has been a problem since cars first graced public roadways in the early 19th century. While roadside distractions like billboards and eating behind the wheel have always been an issue, cell phones have added an entirely new level of danger to drivers. Smartphones, which continue to become more and more sophisticated, now offer more and more ways for drivers to become distracted. Frighteningly, many drivers participate in gaming, texting, and social networking on their smartphones while driving.
Many drivers think "hands-free" systems completely eliminate their chances of being in an accident due to cell phone use, however, drivers can still become auditorily and visually distracted even while keeping their hands on the wheel. Even though many are now using such devices, an alarming new study published in 2011 revealed that smartphones may account for roughly 15-25% of all traffic accidents. The GHSA is therefore urging states to create and enforce laws pertaining to cell phone use while driving
This issue is not limited to teenagers and those who use cell phones for personal and recreational use, but studies also show that many commercial drivers and business employees are forced to constantly use their cell phones for communication in order to fulfill their job responsibilities in today’s demanding and often fast paced work environment.
The GHSA is urging states to create and enforce laws pertaining to cell phone use while driving. Putting new laws in place and enforcing them could help to prevent serious accidents. If you have been injured in a car accident in the Philadelphia area or anywhere in Pennsylvania or New Jersey at the hands of a careless or distracted driver, you may be entitled to compensation. Contact a Philadelphia injury lawyer as soon as possible for a consultation regarding your case.
