The Rise of Distracted Driving in the Smartphone Era

Younger teens and adults might not remember a time when smartphones weren’t in everyone’s pocket. Yet, most older adults remember when turning on the radio was the height of distractions during a drive. While smartphones make it easier to navigate new routes and call for roadside assistance in an emergency, it’s important to remember that they can also contribute to serious car accidents when people use them unsafely.

In the smartphone era, distracted driving accidents are rising. In fact, you might’ve even been tempted to check a text on your phone as you drove to work. Or, you may have noticed that the car in front of you was swerving as though they were inebriated, only to see them on their phone as you met at a stoplight.

The good news is that distracted driving accidents are preventable. Finding ways to limit smartphone use in your vehicle and to avoid suspected distracted drivers on the road helps you stay safe while driving to your destination.

Looking Beyond Basic Texting

Texting and driving is a known bad habit that people often find tempting when they are stopped at a light or going at a low speed down a residential road. But, this isn’t the only distraction that smartphones create. Having a smartphone in your car might tempt you to watch a video or engage on social media.

While hands-free phone technology makes it possible to answer a phone call without taking your hands off the wheel, this option could still keep your mind off the road. Sadly, accidents often happen when a driver gets emotionally involved in a conversation that causes them to lose track of what’s happening as they drive.

People’s increasing comfort with smartphone technology is also leading to more accidents that occur while someone is watching a video or snapping a selfie. While you might think that you are unlikely to fall into a distracted driving habit, all it takes is for a phone notification to make you feel like you might be missing an important call or social media response.

Facing the Consequences of Distracted Driving

Many states have laws banning hand-held phone use while driving, but accidents still happen every day that are related to someone using a smartphone. Modern vehicles often have safety features that can help reduce the risk of severe injuries during these types of crashes, but they aren’t foolproof.

Using your smartphone could cause you to take your eyes off the road just long enough to miss seeing a pedestrian crossing the street. Or, you might not notice a cyclist in your path because you were too busy checking where to turn next. Pedestrian-vehicle crashes are among the deadliest types of accidents to occur on the road. Being hit by someone who is distracted by their phone could leave you dealing with long-term traumatic brain injuries and lingering pain for major lacerations or fractures.

People often get into rear-end collisions when they are too busy looking at their screen to notice stopped traffic in their path. Someone might also miss a major slowdown on the freeway because they were watching their favorite movie on their smartphone. While it’s easy to think that you might only be glancing at the screen for a second, the truth is that things happen fast when you are driving at high speeds. Even a single second or two of distraction is all it takes to experience a potentially life-threatening accident.

If you find yourself being hit by a suspected distracted driver, then try to take note of what happens at the scene. For instance, you might see their phone still in their hands or sitting in the car next to them, still playing the movie they were watching. Or, a witness might vouch for them being seen using their phone just before they hit your car at a stoplight. Some people might even admit guilt in the initial shock of causing an accident.

While it is often difficult to prove that someone was distracted while driving, it is possible that a premier car accident lawyer could use this type of information for your case. If you have a dash cam, then the footage may also show evidence such as the other vehicle swerving or reaching for their phone, which further bolsters your case.

Managing Distractions While Driving

Keeping your smartphone in your purse or your pocket is a great way to avoid being at fault for a distracted driving accident, and this could also help you avoid expensive fines for breaking the law in many states. But you might also be wondering what to do in a genuine emergency.

Hands-free technology is a safer way to make an emergency call while you drive without having to take your eyes off the road. But this can still take your mind off what is happening around you. Ideally, you should find a safe place to pull off the road and stop before engaging in the use of any phone-related technology.

Doing a little pre-drive prep work can also help you resist temptation. Try pre-setting your podcast or playlist before you start driving. Checking your driving route can also help you get familiar with new directions and potential reroutes for road hazards or weather before you’re stuck on the road. Turning off the ringer and notifications is another way to keep you safe from feeling tempted to see what’s happening with your phone.

As more technology increases the use of smartphones and other electronic devices, it’s important to be proactive about avoiding distracted driving. While we might one day enjoy self-driving vehicles that allow us to browse on our phones, technology still hasn’t advanced to this point. For now, make sure to check your driving directions and weather alerts for the route before leaving the driveway.

If using your smartphone is too tempting, then consider putting it in the backseat or another hard-to-reach place. Practicing defensive driving can help you avoid falling victim to someone else’s distracted driving. But, it’s also important to review what to do if an accident occurs. Adding a dash cam to your vehicle could help you prove someone else’s negligence led to the accident, which is a smart use of technology while driving.  

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