Thumb-Happy Drivers Are to Blame for Thousands of Georgia Car Crashes

You may think that it’s safe to text someone back real fast while you are driving, or you may find no harm in reading a text while behind the wheel of a moving car, but the following distracted driving accident statistics should make you reconsider being thumb-happy in the driver’s seat.

In 2011, 3,840 Georgia car crashes were attributed to cell phone use and distracted driving, resulting in 955 serious injuries, nine fatalities, and many more minor injuries, reports the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the 2011 nationwide statistics for crashes related to distracted driving include:

• 387,000 people injured in distracted driving accidents
• 3,331 people killed in distracted driving crashes
• Over 15 people killed by distracted driving every day
• More than 1,200 people injured daily due to distracted driving

Although these are the latest national and state statistics related to distracted driving wrecks, many authorities believe current distracted driving accidents, injuries, and fatalities have increased over what’s been reported. This is because the proportion of drivers reportedly distracted at the time of a fatal crash increased 4 percent from 2005 to 2009. Additionally, not every driver admits to being distracted at the time of the accident, which suggest that the problem is bigger than the reported statistics.

Help Prevent Distracted Driving

It is not only important to stop texting while driving or talking on the cell phone while you drive, but if you are a passenger in someone else’s car who is texting, be the designated texter. Share with your friend or family member the dangers of distracted driving and how it takes a driver’s attention away from driving. By sharing with the driver this information and by saying that you don’t feel comfortable driving with him or her while texting, you can help promote safe and distraction-free driving in Georgia.

If you have been injured in a Peachtree City car accident due to a distracted driver, speak with a qualified Georgia accident attorney at the Law Offices of Shane Smith today in a free consultation at (770) 487-8999 and learn more about your rights.