According to a study, the majority of motorists believe that texting and driving should be illegal. However, the same study shows that the majority of drivers are still confident in their own texting and driving skills and thus still engage in this risky behavior. This could be a concern for travelers on West Virginia highways.
Among all drivers, the study found that 65 percent considered texting and driving or looking at a phone while driving to be a major cause of serious car accidents. Eighty-three percent of respondents said that law enforcement officers should have the ability to pull people over for texting and driving. Although 34 percent of drivers still said that they were confident in their ability to safely text and drive, 62 percent said that they had feelings of concern when they saw others doing so.
When the numbers were compared by age, it was found that younger drivers were far more confident in their texting and driving skills than older drivers. For example, 62 percent of respondents aged 18 to 34 were confident in being able to text and drive. Comparatively, only 6 percent of drivers aged 55 and over responded that they were confident. When male drivers were compared to female drivers, 21 percent of men said they were confident while only 11 percent of women said they were.
All drivers are responsible for following the rules of the road. If they cause a traffic accident while engaging in risky driving behavior, such as texting and driving, they could be held liable for any damages. A personal injury attorney could help a person who suffered serious injuries by filing a lawsuit against the liable driver. The attorney may assist with gathering all of the evidence that prove liability, including the police report and witness testimony. If a settlement cannot be reached out of court, the attorney may litigate.