Texting and driving is a common cause of accidents, but many drivers fail to recognize the danger. It doesn’t matter if you are a new driver or an experienced driver, it doesn’t matter if you are good at multitasking or if you can text without looking at your phone, and it doesn’t matter if you have done it before with no consequences. Texting and driving is a dangerous form of distracted driving.
Three Reasons Why Texting and Driving Causes Crashes, Injuries, and Deaths
A driver who is texting and driving…
May Have a Hand Off the Wheel
Texting while driving may require a driver to take a least one hand off the wheel. This is dangerous because it lowers the amount of control that the driver has over the vehicle and increases the likelihood of getting into an accident. With only one hand on the wheel, it may be more difficult to maneuver the vehicle away from an unexpected obstacle.
May Not Be Watching the Road
If a driver is texting, then his line of vision may be shifted from the road to the screen or keyboard of his cell phone. This greatly increases the odds of a collision because to operate a vehicle safely you must keep your eyes on the road at all times. Drivers must be alert of their surroundings and if they’re not watching the road this becomes increasingly difficult.
Is Not Concentrating Solely on Driving Safely
A driver who is texting and driving—even with a voice-to-text app—is paying attention to the text conversation. This may distract a driver from driving safely. For example, the driver may fail to notice a car slowing down rapidly or a red light.
It is Against the Law to Text and Drive in Kentucky
It is against the law to text and drive in Kentucky regardless of the content of the text message being sent or received and regardless of the driver’s age. If an important text message needs to be sent or is received, then a Kentucky driver has to make a decision. The driver may find a safe place to park and text, the driver may have a passenger in the car respond or send a text, or the driver may wait until his final destination to text.
Driving and texting is not an option.
Currently it is the driver—not the person with whom the driver is texting—who is legally responsible for any injuries or deaths that result from texting and driving.
If you have been hurt or your loved one has been killed by a texting driver, then it is important to learn about your rights and your fair recovery. Please start a live chat with us today and schedule your own free, no-obligation consultation with an experienced lawyer who is dedicated to getting you the full legal recovery that you deserve.
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