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Distracted driving is a major issue in California and the rest of the U.S. with many drivers engaging in it even though they know it is wrong. According to a study from Root Insurance, 47% of drivers say distractions are a top concern for them, and 99% acknowledge phone use as one of the top three sources of distraction, yet the respondents were found to use their phones for an average of 13 minutes each day while on the road.
Moreover, 38% of drivers who use mobile devices do not bother to put them down when they see police around. Among phone-related activities, group chats were the most likely to distract 52% of drivers while social media was the most distracting for 33% of drivers. Common non-phone-related distractions included grooming, playing with a pet and changing clothes.
Respondents were critical of Uber and Lyft drivers who exhibit the same distracting behaviors as themselves. About 89% said they would give a bad rating to drivers who texted while behind the wheel, and 39% had done so themselves.
Gen Z drivers, who are aged 18 to 24, are a special concern. Root Insurance’s 2019 Focused Driving Report found that these drivers use their phones about 20 times per 100 miles traveled. However, insurance discounts, Root believes, can urge drivers to avoid phone use.
Many car accidents are the result of distracted driving. Victims who were not negligent or whose degree of fault is found to be less than the other’s can file a personal injury claim, but they may want a lawyer by their side before they begin. A lawyer might hire third parties to investigate the crash and gather proof of negligence: For example, phone records could show the defendant was distracted. The lawyer may then proceed to settlement negotiations.