The results of a research study conducted online by auto insurance giant Progressive suggest that distracted driving in Virginia and across the country is a dangerous practice that is not likely to go away soon. The study was based on an online survey with a sample size of around 1,000 insured American drivers, and the majority believe that distracted driving behaviors such as texting and driving should be illegal. However, they also believe that this standard should not directly apply to them.
As can be expected, younger drivers are the most likely to express self confidence in their ability to operate a moving vehicle while checking mobile apps such as Facebook, WhatsApp and Twitter. A little over 60 percent of respondents between the ages of 18 to 34 years of age expressed this confidence; on the opposite end of driving age spectrum are drivers who are at least 55 years old and who do not trust their own abilities to text and drive.
Statistics compiled by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for 2015 indicate that distracted driving accidents resulted in more than 3,400 fatalities and more than 390,000 injuries. It is not surprising to learn that teenagers are the most likely to be behind the wheel in these types of road traffic accidents.
There is an alarming dichotomy in the sense that young drivers who blindly trust their own instincts with regard to texting and driving also feel that this practice should be outlawed. As long as distracted driving continues, victims of these types of crashes might want to have legal help when attempting to obtain compensation for their medical expenses and other losses.
Source: Claims Journal, “Majority of Drivers Say Distracted Driving Should Be Illegal, Yet Still Do it“, Sept. 12, 2017