Distracted drivers cause many car accidents in Kentucky. According to the Kentucky Department of Transportation (DOT), some form of distraction is a contributing factor in nearly 80 percent of all crashes and 65 percent of near-crash events.
Distractions take many forms. Highway safety advocates have focused attention on the dangerous distraction posed by drivers using mobile phones and texting while driving. But drivers may shift their attention from the road to focus on a conversation with a passenger or adjust the radio or use the navigation system. Any distraction can cause a crash.
If you have been injured by a distracted driver, you may be entitled to seek compensation. Call the injury attorneys at Morgan, Collins, Yeast & Salyer to get a clear explanation of your legal options.
Distracted Driving: A Major Cause of Car Accidents in Kentucky
According to a recent report from the Kentucky Department of Transportation, cell phone use, distraction, and driver inattention are consistently among the top causes of car accidents statewide. In a single recent year:
- 40,870 collisions involved cell phone use, driver distraction, and driver inattention throughout the state, including 143 fatal accidents.
- Cell phone use, distraction, and inattention were contributing factors in 266 pedestrian collisions, 12 of which were fatal.
- Distraction-related behaviors contributed to 435 motorcycle accidents, 19 of which were fatal.
- Distracted driving behaviors contributed to 3,011 truck accidents, 33 of which were fatal.
What Is Considered Distracted Driving?
Distracting driving refers to the act of operating a motor vehicle while engaged in any secondary activity that prevents a motorist from keeping their eyes and full attention on the road. Operating a motor vehicle is a complex and demanding task. Research suggests that the vast majority of drivers are not capable of multitasking. As a result, any type of driver distraction is dangerous and increases the risk of an accident.
There are three different types of distraction:
- Visual distractions– A visual distraction is anything that prompts a driver to take their eyes off of the road ahead. Common examples of visual distractions include text messages, billboard advertisements, navigation systems, video screens, and other people in the vehicle.
- Manual distractions– A manual distraction is anything that prompts a driver to take one or both hands off of the steering wheel. That makes it physically difficult to react swiftly in the event of an emergency. Common examples of manual distractions include texting, eating and drinking, and personal grooming while driving.
- Cognitive distractions– A cognitive distraction is anything that takes a driver’s mental focus off of the road and surrounding traffic. Many of us engage in cognitive distractions without even realizing it. Common examples of cognitive driving distractions include phone conversations, passenger interactions, listening to the radio, and even daydreaming.
Distractions That Cause The Most Car Accidents in Kentucky
What are the top distractions for drivers in Kentucky? They include:
- Texting or typing– Although illegal under state law, texting or typing on the phone while driving is an incredibly dangerous practice. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration calls texting while driving the most alarming distraction” because it involves all three forms of distraction in a single task. Reading a text message requires you to take your eyes off of the road. Typing a reply requires you to remove at least one hand from the steering wheel. Composing a message or considering the contents of a message requires some mental focus.
Talking on the phone– Kentucky motorists ages 18 and older are permitted to talk on the phonewhile driving. However, that doesn’t mean it’s a good idea. Even with hands-free technology, having a phone conversation while driving requires you to allocate at least a portion of your attention away from the task of driving.- Eating or drinking– Many drivers think nothing of sipping a soft drink or enjoying a burger while commuting. However, eating or drinking while driving can be one of the most dangerous forms of driver distraction. It may not seem like gripping a cup or handheld food item would pose a significant distraction. But it does require removing at least one hand from the steering wheel. The possibility of distracting spills is an additional risk.
- Chatting with passengers– Driving with a passenger on longer trips can actually improve focus by limiting monotony. However, if you are so absorbed in a conversation that you are not paying enough attention to the road, there’s a good chance you are allowing yourself to be dangerously distracted.
- Personal grooming– Drivers who are running late for work or hurrying to make an appointment sometimes engage in personal grooming on the go. Common in-car grooming behaviors include checking one’s reflection in the mirror, combing hair, applying make-up, and changing clothes. These risky practices require drivers to take their eyes away from the road and one or both hands off of the steering wheel.
- Reading or watching videos– Watching videos while driving is a recipe for disaster. Many commercial drivers and frequent travelers find these distractions especially tempting after long stretches of boredom and isolation. Focusing on a video clip or reading an article demands both visual and cognitive focus, leaving less attention for the demanding task of safe driving.
- Adjusting a GPS device– Despite Kentucky’s statewide ban on texting while driving, motorists are still permitted to adjust GPS devices while driving. However, doing so manually is both illegal and unsafe since it requires manual, visual, and cognitive attention. If you must alter a GPS input while traveling, it’s safer to do so using voice-to-text commands or after pulling off the road.
- Adjusting vehicle controls– Even though there is no law against fiddling with radio tuners or climate controls while driving, you’re better off avoiding these activities as long as the car is in motion. Given the increasing number of touch screen menus in vehicles, the task of selecting a song to play can be a dangerous distraction for a driver.
Contact a Car Accident Lawyer for Help
If you have been injured in a distracted driving accident in Kentucky, contact the trusted attorneys at Morgan, Collins, Yeast & Salyer as soon as possible. Our attorneys have the Kentucky Courage to help you hold a negligent driver financially accountable and demand fair compensation for your losses.
Call us today at (877) 809-5352, or fill out our online contact form to get started with your free initial consultation.
