Texting and Driving

Texting and driving has been a significant safety issue for several years now. This form of distracted driving has contributed to the deaths of many Georgia citizens, both young and old. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (AJC) published statistics showing that, in the first quarter of this year alone, there has been a 31% increase in roadway deaths: 295 fatalities total.

What To Do

With statistics like these, it is more important than ever to develop a “safe driving plan” for yourself and your family members – especially young teens learning to drive. Here are some tips to keep yourself and your loved ones safe:

1. Leave the phone alone: In 2011, 23% or more crashes on the roadways were attributed to cellphone usage. When you text and drive, you may not realize how far you travel while your eyes are off the roadway. If you travel 55 miles per hour for five seconds, your vehicle will cover the entire length of a football field. That is a frightening distance to travel with your eyes off the road.
2. Plan ahead: If you are worried about missing out on important information or conversations, go ahead and inform those you are conversing with that you will be driving and can text them once you are off the road.
3. Turn it off: It is extremely tempting to answer every call, text, or email that comes your way. Remember that these distractions can be deadly to you or others on the roadway. Turn off your cellphone or put it on silent so that you cannot see or hear notifications. Better yet, hide your cellphone in your glove compartment or purse. If you don’t see it, you will likely forget about it. As the old saying goes, “out of sight, out of mind!”

Distracted driving is a deadly practice that is completely avoidable. Practice self-restraint. Be aware of your actions and what they could mean to yourself and someone else. You may save lives.

If you are interested in learning more about the dangers of texting and driving, be sure to check out this resource: Link

At Buzzell, Welsh & Hill, we strive to keep you safe. However, if you or a loved one has been injured in a distracted driving accident, you can schedule a free consultation by calling us at (478) 217-2072 or by clicking here to complete our contact form.