Much like drunk driving, distracted driving is a life taker. In fact, multiple studies have shown that distracted driving — and specifically texting while driving — can be just as life-threatening as driving while drunk.
Drunk driving and distracted driving are similar in another way. To stop them from injuring and killing more people, it is crucial not only to enforce existing laws, but also to continually educate drivers of all ages about the dangers of not paying full attention on the road.
Compared with other states, Delaware’s distracted driving laws are somewhat more restrictive, but that does not mean that some drivers don’t put lives at risk by failing to abide by the law.
In Delaware, drivers of all ages are prohibited from texting while driving and using handheld devices while operating a vehicle. Additionally, novice drivers (those with a learner’s permit or an intermediate license) and bus drivers are not allowed to use handheld cell phones while driving.
Still, according to research presented by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, at any moment during the day, roughly 660,000 drivers in the U.S. are using some kind of electronic device while driving. With that in mind, consider that in 2013 about 424,000 people were injured and 3,154 people lost their lives in the U.S. — all due to distracted driving.
In other words, distracted driving laws are certainly helpful, but drivers must nonetheless take personal responsibility for their actions and put down their phones.
If you have been injured by a distracted driver, then don’t hesitate to seek appropriate medical attention. For more on that and the legal issues arising from an auto accident, please see Murphy & Landon’s car accident overview.
