As a Kansas City injury lawyer who concentrates in motor vehicle accident cases, I have seen a substantial increase in distracted driving that causes serious injury. In fact, I would estimate that over 50% of our crash cases involve some form of distracted driving or inattentive driving behavior.
In my experience, the distracted driving collision usually involves a violent impact because the distracted driver has not attempted to brake or otherwise avoid the collision. Based on my experience, I agree with many who feel that taking your eyes off the road to electronic message can be just as dangerous as drunk driving.
There is little doubt that the modern day distracted driver presents a new universe of risk for all motorists.
While the dramatic rise in distracted driving is largely due to text messaging driving, the distracted driving epidemic is much more broad. With the advent of the smart phone, many motorists, both young and old, are now driving while they text, check e-mail, update social media like Facebook or Twitter, browse the web, or conduct business through their phone.
In this regard, I have started Drive By Example, a safety awareness campaign that is particularly directed at adult drivers. The focus of the campaign is that when you text or use a cell phone while driving, you are modeling dangerous driving for passengers, including children, and other motorists.
I am bringing Drive By Example, to the media spotlight, hoping to obtain a TV station partner to help encourage motorists to use the highest degree of care behind the wheel.
