There is a concerted effort across the country to reduce smartphone use while driving. On the surface, this seems reasonable; after all, distracted driving is to blame for a considerable increase in both automobile accidents and fatal accidents. However, an intriguing topic has surfaced, casting doubt on this seemingly clear conclusion.
Read on to learn about the results of a study and then contact Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas at 909-982-0707 if you require help from an experienced personal injury attorney.
The Study’s Goa
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS) conducted the research in order to address two issues. First, whether or not a motorist who stopped using their phone merely switched to another distracting activity. Second, whether or not changing a driver’s mobile phone usage while driving affected the amount of time they spent gazing away from the road.
The Study’s Methodology
A total of 105 participants agreed to participate in the research. For a year, the researchers tracked their daily driving habits. It looked at how much time was spent on secondary tasks while driving that required looking away from the road, as well as how that time was connected to how much time was spent on telephones.
The Research’s Findings
According to the findings, drivers spend 42 percent of their time driving doing at least one secondary activity. This includes the following:
7 percent for mobile phones
5% are connecting with telephones in some other way, while 33% are engaged in a secondary activity (sometimes while engaging with their cellphones)
12% conversing with other passengers in the automobile, 6% holding an object, and 5% chatting or singing to oneself
Drivers glanced ahead just over 80% of the time, forward and to the right or left 5% of the time, and in a mirror 4% of the time, according to the research. Approximately 10% of their driving time was spent looking away from the road.
Most importantly for the study’s goal, they discovered that for every 1% reduction in time spent on a smartphone while driving, a person’s secondary behavior rate decreased by 0.25 percent. What exactly does this mean? It indicates that, while people may substitute other distractions for phone-related distractions, they appear to be less distracted overall than when they were using their smartphones.
What Should You Do If You are Injured in a Car Accident?
Whether you are a flawless driver who never looks away from the road, or you were recently engaged in an accident in which you were partially at fault and distracted by your phone, you may have legal alternatives. Request a free legal consultation by calling Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas at 909-982-0707. We can assist you in determining your best alternatives. Give us a call right away, and we will be happy to assist you in getting through this tough time.
