Is distracted driving more or less dangerous than drunk driving?

Motorists in North Carolina may be surprised to learn that distracted driving is as dangerous as driving while under the influence of drugs and alcohol. Anyone with doubts regarding this fact needs only to look at a few statistics to understand the dangers of distracted driving.

Distracted driving vs. drunk driving

In 2014, 9,967 Americans lost their lives and 290,000 people suffered injuries due to drunk driving accidents. In the same year, 3,179 deaths and 431,000 injuries happened due to personal injuries relating to car accidents that involved distracted drivers.

There is another fact that troubles people concerned with the dangers of distracted driving. While injuries and fatalities associated with drunk drivers are on the decline, the destruction caused by distracted driving is increasing.

The dangers of texting and driving

Texting is the number one cause of distracted driving by far. Other distractions include eating, drinking and paying too much attention to a passenger in the car.

Drivers who make a habit of sending and receiving text messages while operating a motor vehicle might think that doing so is no big deal. However, the average text from a driver causes them to take their eyes off the road for 4.6 seconds. A car traveling at 55 mph can travel the length of a football field in 4.6 seconds. It is not difficult to understand the danger present when a driver traveling at such a high speed takes his or her eyes off the road for that distance. Texting increases the likelihood of an accident by more than 20%.

The possibility of an accident is present each time a driver takes to the road in their vehicle. Motorists who suffer the misfortune of an accident may find it possible to secure compensation for any injuries or losses they endure by speaking with a personal injury attorney.