Distracted driving leads to car crashes in West Virginia, many of them fatal. In 2017, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there were 3,166 people who died in distracted driving crashes around the country. Avoiding distractions behind the wheel, then, is imperative for every driver, and there are a few steps to aid in doing this.
The first is to avoid phone use since calling and texting are among the most distracting activities. Drivers should also refrain from using hands-free devices because these can still take their attention from important signals. Next, drivers should have a no-eating policy so that there is no danger of spills or other distracting events in the car.
Conversations with other passengers can prove distracting, so drivers may want to limit the number of passengers they take. Teens in particular are advised to do this because of their inexperience. Parents must, for their part, enforce a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to distracted driving and set a good example. Drivers must not head out when drowsy. If they must, they should drink plenty of coffee or use Uber or Lyft to take them to their destination. Shift work, sleep disorders like obstructive sleep apnea, and alcohol consumption can all increase drowsiness.
Occupants of other vehicles who are injured in a motor vehicle accident that was caused by a distracted, drowsy, or otherwise negligent motorist often suffer catastrophic injuries that require lengthy periods of medical care and treatment, and many of them are unable to ever return to work. They might want to have the assistance of a lawyer when seeking compensation for their losses.