At the end of September, the Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a dramatic increase in fatalities, especially in the Southwest corner of the state. According to the Highway Patrol, there has been a 36 percent increase in traffic fatalities for this area – which is much higher than the rest of the state or even the country. Statewide, there has been an 11 percent increase.
Studies show that it is likely that distracted driving is a substantial contributing factor for the rise in Missouri traffic fatalities. This makes sense as more people rely upon cell phones and cell service, even in rural areas, is becoming more reliable.
Texting and Driving Is Not the Only Reason Distracted Driving Is Increasing
According to the troopers following the statistics, distracted driving is anything that takes a person’s primary focus away from driving. And, they want to make sure that drivers realize texting is not the only distraction that has accounted for the dramatic increase in traffic fatalities. Cell phone use isn’t the only reason either – troopers state that it is anything that takes a driver’s attention away from the road.
Missouri Highway Patrol has stated that drivers need to be aware of the consequences of driving irresponsibly – especially while engaging in reckless behaviors like texting and driving.
When a driver is involved in a crash that kills someone while they are texting, they could be charged with manslaughter or assault. A person must realize that they can be held accountable for their level of irresponsibility behind the wheel – whether they knew it was against the law or not.
Another common factor in the increase of traffic fatalities is the failure to wear seatbelts. According to the troopers, 63 percent of people killed in Missouri traffic fatalities were not wearing seatbelts at the time of impact. They also state that drivers are 42 times more likely to be killed in a car accident if they are not wearing a seat belt. Therefore, they hope to raise awareness regarding distracted driving and seatbelt use. At Horn Law, we also want to help keep safe driving high on the public agenda. Our program, Drive By Example, is dedicated to alerting drivers to the new universe of traffic fatality risk. We hope to make an impact by influencing drivers to protect themselves, their passengers, and others on the road by driving alert, buckled, and cautious.
Were You Injured in a Missouri Car Accident?
Car accidents can lead to serious injuries, especially because people are driving faster while more distracted. If you were injured in a car accident due to a distracted driver – regardless of the distraction that led to the accident – you need legal consultation. In this regard, contact Missouri’s leading distracted driving accident attorney, Doug Horn. Doug is a rapid response attorney and is anxious to help. He offers close and convenient legal consultations, including hospital and home visits.
Contact Doug today at (816) 795-7500 or fill out an online contact form with your questions.
