Drive Safe.

From my personal injury lawyer friend, it’s an eye opening infographic.

Life on the Road: The Cost of Distracted Driving

In the United States, driver mistakes are the leading cause of road carnages. Studies posit that distractions, lack of attention and performance errors, are the major factors contributing to road fatalities. Distracted driving is very costly. The net loss in terms of dollars is heartbreaking. Moreover, the precious lives that are lost everyday due to road crashes.

Economic losses associated with distracted driving

As seen in this distracted driving infographic below, distracted driving was costing $175 billion in 2014. Though these are the damages recorded on paper, the actual costs are usually way over these values. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that the economic damages by road accidents account for about $1 trillion.

The economic losses are constantly increasing due to the increasing incidences of distracted driving. With the increasing technology, mobile phones, road maps and GPS systems are the major causes of distractions. Moreover, radio systems, familiar passengers and unprecedented eating while driving also cause unnecessary distractions.

Life

Your life or the person you are carrying is very precious. On average, taking your attention off the road for just five second sis equivalent to travelling an entire length a football field at 555 miles per hour with eyes closed! A sad reality is that most drivers are aware of the dangers of getting distracted while during. However, most of them usually put forward claims that they are experts behind the wheel and can multitask.

Besides all these, distractions are equally as deadly as driving under the influence of alcohol. Additionally, it does not only endanger the life of the driver and the passengers but it also has a direct impact on the life of the pedestrians.

Physical loses

Road crashes always end in partial or complete destruction of vehicles. Moreover, electricity lines and telephone lines are usually destroyed. Buildings are also always damaged. The physical destruction associated with road crashes are tremendous.

From the first day in the driving school, drivers are always encouraged to put their eyes on the road. Although most of them do not usually heed to this instruction, they should be constantly reminded and enlightened on their roles to help keep the roads safe.