April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month and a great time to recommit to improving your own driving habits. In years past, distracted driving campaigns have focused on texting and using handheld devices for emailing and typing while driving. New research however shows that the act of taking a call alone increases distraction – and with it the chance of causing a car accident. If you truly want to be a safe driver, turn your phone off while operating your vehicle. If you use your phone for music or podcasts, turn it to airplane mode to avoid even the temptation of answering a call or responding to a text.
If you believe, as many do, that hands-free devices are safer, think again. In a recent study conducted by AAA it was found that ten out of thirteen of the most popular on-board systems were just as – if not more – distracting than handheld alternatives. The simple rule to remember is this: anything at all that takes your eyes and attention off of the road is a form of distraction. Distraction leads to more fatal car accidents than drinking and driving and is a known factor in almost all serious accidents in California. The best way to prevent causing one of these accidents is to focus your full attention on the road when driving.
If you have been injured or a loved one has been killed by a distracted driver in California, please contact the Law Offices of Mickey Fine to schedule a free case evaluation today. Attorney Fine serves victims of distracted driving from our offices in Bakersfield. He can also come to you if your injuries make travel difficult.