Texting and Driving Statistics 2020
According to statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, distracted driving is the direct cause of at least 1.6 million car accidents in the U.S. each year. On average, about 2,841 people lose their lives as a result of distracted driving. You need just see texting and driving statistics 2020.
From talking and texting on your phone or eating and drinking, to adjusting your car stereo or GPS navigation device, distracted driving includes just about any activity that takes your focus from the road.
Of all those examples of distracted driving, it’s texting that’s the most dangerous.
Why Texting and Driving Is So Dangerous
Smartphones may have made things in our lives more convenient, but when you’re behind the wheel and decide to text, you’re forcefully taking your eyes from the road.
Even though it may take only seconds to send or read a text, that’s more than enough time to cause an accident.
For example, it normally takes just five seconds to read a text. A lot can happen in those five seconds. If you’re traveling at 55 mph, you will have traveled the length of Donald W. Reynolds Stadium, home of the Arkansas Razorback football team.
Stunning Texting and Driving Statistics
Recently, the car insurance review giant Insurance.com conducted a survey of drivers to get an idea of the awareness of the dangers of texting while driving.
- When asked which activity distracts drivers the most, texting came in as the top choice.
- Texting: 24%
- Adjusting GPS navigation system: 20 %
- Dealing with children and other passengers: 16%
- Talking on their cellphone: 11%
- Adjusting music: 11%
- Eating while driving: 5%
- Going by gender, men and women seem to alternate depending on the distraction.
- Texting: 19% women, 29% men
- GPS: 25% women, 16% men
- Dealing with children: 19 percent women, 14% men
- Talking on their cellphone: 9% women, 13% men
- Adjusting music: 10% women, 11% men
- Eating while driving: 4% women, 6% men
When asked if they still text and drive even though they realize its dangers, 92% admitted they realized the dangers, while 42% said they did it anyway.
Beyond distracted driving, the survey participants were also asked about aggressive driving, another dangerous activity on the road.
- 34% said they honked their horn at a slow driver (31% women, 34% men)
- 32% admitted to brake-checking a car that was following too closely (32% women, 31% men)
- 32% admitted to flipping off other drivers while driving (31% women, 34% men)
- 29% said they curse in front of children while driving (31% women, 26% men)
- 22% admitted to speeding up to prevent someone from passing them (21% women, 22% men)
- 14% said they proceeded in a four-way stop even when it wasn’t their turn (14% women, 15% men)
- 9% admitted to speeding up to block another car with its signal on (7% women, 11% men)
- 8% admitted to chasing a car that cut them off so they could glare or flip them off (6% women, 11% men)
Only 24 percent of those surveyed said they had never done any of those activities.
How Distracted Driving Affects Your Car Insurance Rate
Beyond leading to accidents, distracted driving can also cause your insurance rate to jump. If you’re caught causing an accident because of distracted driving, you should expect your car insurance rates to jump by at least 23 percent.
The Fine for Distracted Driving in Arkansas
If you have been charged with distracted driving, you’re looking at a $250 fine for the first offense. With any additional charge for distracted driving, the fine increases to $500. This fine will also apply to anyone who causes an accident while texting and driving.
If You’ve Been Injured by a Distracted Driver, Call Alan Levar
Distracted driving is one of the most negligent things a driver can do. To obtain an Arkansas driver’s license, you have to commit yourself to respect the rights and safety of your fellow drivers.
If you’ve been injured because of a distracted driver, we can help you get the justice and compensation you deserve, while you concentrate on your recovery.
Contact us today for a free consultation so we can go over the details of your accident and insurance troubles, and ultimately guide you through the steps towards your full and rightful compensation.
