Every day in the U.S., nine people die—and 100 more are injured—in crashes caused by distracted driving. The National Safety Council (NSC) has declared April Distracted Driving Awareness Month. To help highlight the danger, attorney John Gore of Caddell Reynolds recently visited Good Day NWA to share his insights—as well as tips for greater safety behind the wheel. A clip of this informative segment appears below.
Distracted Driving Defined
The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) defines distracted driving as any activity which diverts a driver’s attention away from the road. Studies tell us approximately 660,000 drivers use some form of mobile electronic device while driving each day.
Understanding the Dangers
According to the NHTSA, close to 20,000 people died in accidents involving distracted drivers between 2012 and 2017—including 3,450 people killed in 2016 alone. Advocacy group EndDD—an organization hoping to eliminate distracted driving—says the facts are disconcerting:
- Texting while driving increases the risk of a crash nearly 23 times
- Drivers on phones are almost six times more likely to have a crash
Sadly, 45% of drivers reported reading a text—and 34% reported sending a text—while driving; even though nearly 90% of drivers said distracted driving is a major problem in a recent survey by the Automobile Association of America (AAA).
What the Law Says About Distracted Driving
Arkansas prohibits using hand-held phones to text, type, send e-mail, or access the internet while in motion. Since the law defines distracted driving as a primary offense, police can stop drivers without other violations. It is illegal to use hand-held cellphones in school zones or highway work zones—and illegal for anyone under 18 to use a cellphone while driving. Fines include $250 for a first offense—and can range up to $500 for subsequent violations.
We Can Help
If you or a loved one has suffered serious injuries in an accident caused by a distracted driver, call Caddell Reynolds for help at 800-671-4100. When you call, you’ll speak with one of our top Arkansas distracted driving injury lawyers absolutely FREE.
At Caddell Reynolds, we will fight for the maximum compensation you deserve from the insurance companies. Our experienced Arkansas Distracted Driving Accident Lawyers understand distracted driving injury claims—and can help you receive the full and fair compensation you deserve.
Caddell Reynolds Law Firm will be by your side every step of the way. Call us for your Free Legal Consultation at 800-671-4100 today. At Caddell Reynolds, there is never an attorney’s fee due up front. In fact, you owe us nothing until we recover for you. We have offices conveniently located throughout Arkansas to better serve you.
Caddell Reynolds. Make the right call!
