There are over 22 million people licensed to drive in the state of California. There is no question that distractions are inevitable some of the time but this does not mean that steps cannot be taken to reduce the prevalence. The National Highway Transportation and Safety Administration reports that there were more than 3,450 deaths in 2016 related to distracted driving. No one should be added to this statistic in 2018.
You may feel that if you are not driving then you have no control over your likelihood of being in a car accident. This is simply not the case. Read on to find out what you can do as a passenger to protect yourself. If you are in an accident and suffer from injuries, reach out to Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas at 909-982-0707 to find out what your options are.
Understanding distracted driving
First, let us be clear about what we mean when we say distracted driving. We are discussing any activity that distracts the driver of the vehicle. This could be something like texting, changing the radio station or song, eating, or putting on makeup. It is generally accepted that using a phone while driving is the most common easily preventable activity that causes distractions.
Unfortunately, the people who are statistically most likely to be in an accident due to their age – teenagers – are also the ones most likely to use their phones while driving. Despite laws in California that prohibit using a phone while driving, people still do it.
Take over as the designated texter
One thing you can do if you are a passenger in a vehicle with a person who wants to use their phone is to volunteer to take over texting duties. If they must respond to a work, school, or personal text while they are driving, then offer to do it for them.
Take over other technological duties
A phone is just one of the things a person can use while driving. They can also change the radio station, mess with their GPS, etc. If you are in the vehicle with someone who seems to be spending more time distracted than looking at the road, do not lecture them – simply offer to take over for them.
If necessary remind them that they are risking a ticket
If the person in question does not seem to mind that they are putting you and others on the road at risk, let them know that there are four separate California laws involving using a phone while driving. They make it illegal for a person who is not yet 18 years old from even using a hands-free device, and everyone is prohibited from texting while driving.
Even if it means making the driver upset, it is worth saving your own life. When you consider the potentially catastrophic injuries a person can suffer in a car accident, it is well worth it to be uncomfortable for a few moments.
