It is a likely habit. Much like putting on a seatbelt, motorists in Louisiana and elsewhere frequently grab their phone and look at it before putting their vehicle in drive. And while operating a motor vehicle, that phone is continually checked on for texts, emails, social media notifications and calls. While various forms of technology make it even easier and simplified to keep connected with our phones while driving, the reality is that this still creates distractions.
While certain technology, such as Apple CarPlay an Android Auto, promises to reduce distracted driving, a current study shows otherwise. Initial evidence did indicate that by putting certain features from the phone into an infotainment screen, it reduced the need to look down at a phone. However, researchers found that using a mirroring system in a car’s entertainment screen still delays a person’s reaction time.
It was found that one’s reaction while using this mirroring system is slower than someone who has used cannabis and is five times slower than a person driving with the legal limit of alcohol in his or her system. In this study, it was found that when a motorist is using the touch control, they are unable to keep a safe distance from a vehicle in front of them and had a difficult time keeping the vehicle center.
A distracted driver is a very dangerous motorist to have on the roadways. In a mere second, a distracted driver could collide with an unsuspecting vehicle, cyclist or pedestrian. The results can be catastrophic, causing an accident victim to suffer physical harm as well as financial, mental and emotional damages as well. Therefore, accident victims should take the time to explore their legal options and understand how a personal injury action could benefit them.