Study Finds Distracted Drivers Four Times More Likely to Cause Serious Crash
A recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that drivers who used their cell phones while driving were four times more likely to cause a crash that sent at least one person to the hospital than drivers who did not use cell phones while driving.
The study followed 456 drivers ages 17 or older in West Perth, Australia who had also been to the hospital emergency room for treatment following a car crash. The researchers interviewed each of the crash victims and also looked at their cell phone records, examining when and how often these drivers had used their cell phones in the weeks leading up to the crash that injured them.
After analyzing the data, researchers concluded that the risk of having a crash while distracted by cell phone use increased fourfold over the risk of having a crash while not on a cell phone. The increase in the risk did not change when the driver was using a hands-free device. The researchers also found that, at any given time of day, approximately five percent of drivers were using cell phones, but that they caused considerably more than five percent of the accidents that sent at least one person to the hospital.
Distracted driving takes a driver’s eyes and mind off the road and his hands off the wheel, which increases the chance that the driver will not see or respond to a hazard in time to prevent a crash. At Wingate, Russotti & Shapiro, our experienced New York car accident attorneys are dedicated to helping injured people get the compensation they need after a crash. If you or someone you love has been injured, call us today at (212) 222-4336 for a free consultation.
