Cellphones are one of the main reasons for car accidents, especially in the last 10 years or so. Distracted driving has become a much more common issue than it used to be, and many states have cracked down on this by banning the use of handheld devices in the car.
But whether these devices are banned or not, people still use them frequently. Anecdotally, you can see evidence of this almost any time you stop at a stoplight, as there will likely be another driver near you who is looking down at their phone. Many people also do so while the car is in motion. There are two main reasons why cellphones are so problematic.
They cause 3 types of distraction at once
First of all, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that drivers can face manual distractions, visual distractions and cognitive distractions. Many distractions only fit into one category, but cellphones fit into all three. Drivers have to hold the phone, think about what they are typing and look down at the screen. Even a split second of distraction from the phone is actually three types of distraction at once, meaning that the driver is very likely to cause an accident
Drivers are addicted to their phones
The second issue with phones is that people do suffer from addiction, or at least use disorders. They use their phones so much that it’s incredibly difficult for them to put the phone down when they’re in the car – even for a short drive. They’re programmed to pick the phone up and check their notifications constantly. Even when they know it’s dangerous or illegal to use the phone in the car, this addiction can cause them to do so anyway.
Have you been injured in an accident caused by a distracted driver? If so, you may be able to seek compensation for medical bills and other costs.