According to a recent report by Joan Lowy of the Associated Press, a 50% increase in texting while driving occurred in the past year despite a wave of efforts to ban the practice by state legislatures across the country. The study confirms that there are more distracted drivers in Alabama than ever before, with 2 in 10 drivers sending text messages while behind the wheel.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is behind the survey and each year monitors drivers' behavior. Their survey is conducted by standing at random intersections and watching to see who uses cellphones or smartphones and what the drivers do with them. This year's survey found that at any given time approximately 1% of all drivers are either sending text messages or otherwise typing on their phones.
These results were confirmed in separate telephone survey where 18% of drivers admit to having sent text messages or checked emails while driving. Among drivers between the ages of 21 and 24 that number jumps to 50%. The telephone survey went on to confirm that most drivers see no problem answering a cellphone call while driving.
NHTSA Administrator David Strickland said that, "What's clear from all of the information we have is that driver distraction continues to be a major problem."
These increases in texting fly in the face of governmental efforts to restrict the practice. Just last month Pennsylvania became the 35th state to ban texting while driving, apparently to little effect.
Jonathan Adkins, a spokesman for the Governors Highway Safety Association, said the increase is cause for concern. "It is clear that educational messages alone aren't going to change their behavior," Adkins said. "Rather, good laws with strong enforcement are what is needed. Many drivers won't stop texting until they fear getting a ticket."
While drivers may not think that answering an email while waiting at a red-light is a problem, NHTSA officials released a study that found an estimated 3,092 deaths resulted from distracted driving in 2010. So many deaths are a high price to pay for the convenience of constant electronic connectedness.
As Huntsville Alabama car wreck attorneys we routinely see accidents that are caused by distracted driving. If you've been the victim of such a texting-related accident and need help deciding the proper course of action, contact our skilled Alabama auto accident lawyers today.
See Our Recent Alabama Car Accident Lawyer Blog Posts:
New Study Challenges Whether Graduated Driver's License Laws Meet Their Goal
Labor Day Holiday Car Accident Statistics for Alabama's Roadways
