National Distracted Driving Awareness Month: How To Reduce Madisonville Car Accident Risks
Every April, National Distracted Driving Awareness Month serves as a reminder of just how dangerous it is to take your eyes off the road, even for a moment. Distracted driving is a common factor in Kentucky car accidents, but there are ways to reduce your risk.
Our Madisonville distracted driving lawyer explains more about the hazards and steps you can take to protect yourself and everyone on the road.
The Dangers of Distracted Driving on Kentucky Roads
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that car crashes caused by distracted driving claim the lives of nearly 3,500 annually. The Kentucky Office of Highway Safety warns that it remains one of the most significant hazards on local roads.
Distracted driving falls into three main categories:
- Visual distractions that take a driver’s eyes off the road, such as reading a text message or checking a GPS screen.
- Manual distractions that take a driver’s hands off the wheel, such as eating, drinking, or reaching for an object.
- Cognitive distractions that pull a driver’s focus away from the road, such as talking on the phone or daydreaming.
Texting while driving, which combines all three types of distraction, is illegal under Kentucky law. However, other behaviors that put you, your passengers, and everyone on the road at risk include changing car stereo or GPS settings, reaching for items or attending to children and pets, or even eating fast food while driving.
Madisonville Car Accidents: How To Reduce Distracted Driving Risks
National Distracted Driving Awareness Month is a good time for all of us to take an honest look at our habits behind the wheel. Distracted driving is entirely preventable, and there are practical steps every Kentucky driver can take to reduce the risks:
- Silence your phone or switch it to driving mode before starting your car.
- Set GPS, music, and climate controls before you go.
- Pull over if you need to make a call, send a message, or attend to passengers or pets.
- Refrain from eating or drinking while driving, even at slow speeds or in stop-and-go traffic.
- If you are a passenger, speak up when a driver is distracted and offer to handle navigation or communications.
Unfortunately, even when you do everything right, car accidents can happen due to the recklessness of others. If you are involved in a crash and suspect the driver was distracted, get professional legal help right away.
Contact Our Experienced Madisonville Distracted Driving Lawyer Today
Distracted driving is among the most common causes of Kentucky car accidents and can cause devastating injuries, but it can be difficult to prove. At Whitfield Crosby & Flynn, our Madisonville distracted-driving lawyers have decades of experience helping clients in such cases. We investigate, gather cell phone records, witness statements, and other evidence, and fight for the maximum compensation you deserve.
Contact us and request a consultation today. We proudly serve clients in Madisonville, KY; Chattanooga, TN; and Indianapolis, IN.
Sources:
nhtsa.gov/april-distracted-driving-awareness-month
transportation.ky.gov/HighwaySafety/Documents/Distracted.pdf
apps.legislature.ky.gov/law/statutes/statute.aspx?id=39750
