Heading into the middle of July, the vast majority of Americans are out and about enjoying the heat of summer. Adults and teenagers alike are making plans with friends, cranking up the music, and setting out to enjoy the seemingly endless outdoor recreation possibilities. But as you and your family go out to enjoy summer plans, make sure you remain focused while behind the wheel. In 2016 alone, 3,540 Americans lost their lives in distracted driving accidents. 

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), distracted driving is described as any activity that diverts one’s eyes, hands, or overall awareness from the road. Throughout 2015, over 300,000 people nationwide suffered injuries that required hospitalization due to distracted driving. If you or a loved one are injured in a motor vehicle accident this summer, contacting an experienced personal injury attorney can help you and your family get the help you deserve. 

Avoiding Distractions on the Road  

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Distracted driving is not a new controversy, but in recent years its impact on accident statistics has certainly intensified and gained more media attention than ever before. Due to the increasingly wide range of devices we use to manage and navigate our everyday lives, using those devices in the car has naturally become a way of life for many. Sadly, the use of any technological device while behind the wheel is one of the most dangerous behaviors a driver can adopt. While this is true for any driver, it is especially a concern when it comes to young, less experienced drivers. If you are a parent, guardian, teacher, or mentor of a teenager or college student, you can play an important role in steering the youth in your life away from distracted driving behaviors. Impress the following upon your teenager or young adult: Hands-free devices are still dangerous - While the use of a hands-free device certainly helps eliminate some distraction while behind the wheel, the distraction still exists. Even when your hands are on the wheel, your driving skills suffer when your attention is pulled away to a screen or dial. Even simple actions such as adjusting the radio volume or station can deter you from keeping your mind on the road. Passengers matter - Remind your young driver that their influence as a passenger is just as strong as when they are the driver of a vehicle. They have the power to add to - or reduce - the driver’s distraction. By remaining calm, quiet, and limiting their interaction with the driver, they can help them stay focused on the road. Additionally, they can be a voice of reason. When they see the driver using a cell phone or other device behind the wheel, they can speak up and call the driver’s attention to the dangerous behavior. Young people are more at risk for distracted driving accidents - Distraction.gov, the official U.S. government website for distracted driving, reports that young people are the most apt to talk and text behind the wheel of a car. The 15 to 19 year-old age group is most at risk. In fact, 10 percent of all drivers from 15 to 19 years old who are involved in fatal car crashes are reported as distracted at the time of the accidents.

Your young adult driver has the power of influence as both a driver and a passenger, and you possess the same influence as a parent or friend of a young person. If you have been injured in a car accident that stemmed from distracted driving, be sure to speak with a professional Lake County car accident attorney right away. Call Salvi & Maher, LLP today at 847-662-3303 to schedule a free consultation.

Source: http://www.distraction.gov/

We are all aware of the factors that all too often lead to automobile accidents and injuries, such as distracted driving, driving under the influence, and careless speeding. Something as simple as applying your makeup or taking a bite of a burger on your way to work while behind the wheel can lead to serious consequences, but focusing on the efforts we should make instead of the actions we should avoid is often just as important in terms of taking proactive steps toward highway safety. Here are three driving habits to put into practice that benefit everyone on the road: 1. Get to Know Your Vehicle Inside and Out The Illinois State Police recommends that motorcyclists practice pre-ride checks and make maintenance checks a standard routine. The same goes for any motorist. The better you know how your car or bike operates, the better you can handle it out on the open road. Catching minor issues that need repair or attention before you leave the driveway can go a long way in preventing a crash. 2. Plan before You Go

Planning is one of the simplest and most effective habits you can utilize to help prevent distracted driving. The Illinois State Police reports that driver inattention is behind more than one million crashes every year.

If you are heading out on a road trip, have your directions and map ready to go before you get behind the wheel. Station and program your GPS with the help of a hands-free mount device and make all necessary phone calls before you drive. You can also pre-set radio stations to avoid fumbling with radio dials while driving. Any and all chores are best handled before you depart for your destination so your mind is free and clear from all distractions. 3. Stay Up-To-Date on Road and Weather Conditions Another easy habit to adopt to help prevent potentially dangerous situations out on the roadways is to stay aware and alert of any changes in road and weather conditions. Know what you are in store for and plan accordingly. You can do this by paying attention to the national weather advisory before and during travel, as well as utilizing your weather app of choice.

Automobile accidents and injuries are inevitable, but you can stay safe and help others stay out of harm’s way by remaining proactive. If you have been involved in a vehicle collision due to someone else's careless driving, a knowledgeable Lake County car accident attorney can help. Call Salvi & Maher, LLP at 847-662-3303 to schedule a free consultation today.

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It is hard to ignore overwhelming motor vehicle accident statistics. The Illinois State Police report that driver inattention is a primary factor in more than 1 million car crashes every year. That is a hefty statistic, and one we should not take lightly. The sad reality is a number of these accidents can be prevented.

Due to the various types of technology so easily accessible to us today, however, it can be difficult to prevent these incidents. We live in a fast, digital age where much of our lives revolve around mobile devices and advanced car audio, voice recognition, and Bluetooth systems.

Our devices are only one part of the problem. We are distracted by all sorts of actions out on the road. It is not a perfect world; we cannot put a stop to distracted driving entirely. We can, however, make individual efforts to be proactive and prevent those accident statistics from rising.

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Today, more than ever before, we hear of the devastating motor vehicle accident statistics caused by distracted drivers. The number of injuries and fatalities caused by distracted drivers is not only alarming; it is on the rise, increasing year after year. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention categorizes it as a health concern and actually estimates that there are eight people killed every day in the United States due to distracted drivers behind the wheel. Even more astounding, the Illinois State Police report that cell phone use while driving increases the chances of a crash by four hundred percent.

Phones Are Not the Only Culprit

With statistics like this, it is easy to sum up distracted driving as simply talking or texting on the phone, but being distracted behind the wheel can mean many things. The phones we use today are more advanced than ever before, bringing a degree of technology to our fingertips that was not available to us even a few short years ago. This advanced, easily accessible technology has countless advantages, but it has also made driving more dangerous than ever before. From apps and games to selfies and instant messaging, our phones are deadly weapons when used behind the wheel.

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