Look Out! Ensuring Safety in a SmartPhone World

 Posted on December 00, 0000 in Car Accidents

As the holiday season approaches, consumers will flock to department stores in hopes of finding the next generation smartphone. Smartphones have drastically changed the way we think, operate, and navigate through life. Considering the benefits of instant access to information databases, smartphones are now viewed as a necessity in our society. However, with the good comes the bad, and today many Americans suffer from increased stress, decreased sleep, and even addiction attributed to overuse of smartphones and tablets. There may be no bigger downside to smartphone use than the danger from using these devices on the road.

If you are unfortunate enough to be involved in an automobile collision either as a driver, cyclist, or pedestrian, attributed to smartphone related negligence, contact an experienced Lake County personal injury attorney today.

The Impact of Smartphones on the Road

While the long term implications of smartphone technology have yet to be completely determined, one factor is clear: smartphones are increasing automobile collisions. According to studies conducted by the National Safety Council (NSC), phone conversations while driving led to a 1.2 million wreck increase in 2013, while texting led to an additional 341,000 collisions.

Four years later, and these technologies play a far more substantial role in our everyday lives. Smartphone usage has increased from roughly 65 percent of the American population using an iPhone, Android, or a comparable product in 2013, to 81 percent by the end of 2016. Frankly, as behind the wheel smartphone usage increases, so too will automobile accidents—the NSC asserts that text messaging, conversing, and other forms of manual manipulation to cell phones quadruple the likelihood of an automobile accident.

Easy Steps to Increasing Safety On the Road

With the heightened risk on the roads, it is therefore important to focus on the steps we can take to help increase our own safety. To begin, avoid using smartphones while traveling. Whether it be as a pedestrian, cyclist, or driver, smartphones distract us from our surroundings. Many others on the road are utilizing smart phones while navigating; hence, it has never been more pressing to remain as aware as possible.

As a pedestrian, practice increased caution when walking near highly traveled streets, and be sure to follow traffic signs when crossing through intersections. As a cyclist, simple precautions such as wearing bright, noticeable colors, mounting headlights and taillights on your bicycle or helmet, and wearing protective gear can be the difference between life and death when traveling amongst an increasingly distracted general population.

As a driver, we all have the responsibility of being focused and responsible: wear your seat belt, keep an appropriate distance from other vehicles, and restrain yourself from using your smartphone.

For those drivers that are obliged to have access to their mobile phone at all times, installing and using a bluetooth system is the best alternative to not using a phone at all.

Contacting a Legal Professional

While taking these simple precautions can be a great way to improve individual safety on the roads, the bottom line is accidents do happen. Increased use of smartphones has undoubtedly increased the rate of automobile crashes and it is important to know the appropriate steps to take after a collision. If you or a loved one are involved in or injured during a collision, contact to an experienced Lake County personal injury attorney. The backlash of these incidents can be incredibly difficult to deal with, so please call 847-662-3303 or contact us online to setup a free consultation. Sources:

http://www.nsc.org/DistractedDrivingDocuments/Cell-Phone-Estimate-Summary-2013.pdf

https://www.comscore.com/Insights/Blog/US-Smartphone-Penetration-Surpassed-80-Percent-in-2016