Life gets busy, and multi-tasking seems to be a common resolution for individuals in Georgia and elsewhere. While this can be an effective way to tackle one’s to-do list, one place that it should not be addressed is while an individual is behind the wheel. In other words, motorists should not use driving time to check e-mails, send texts, check social media or complete any other task on their phone. Distracted driving is a known danger on the roadways; however, it still remains an issue. In fact, it is seemingly becoming a growing issue, generating a greater concern for it to cause serious and fatal car accidents on roadways across the nation.
Concern for distracted driving
As October comes to a close, so does distracted driving awareness month. Nonetheless, this does not mean the focus on this issue should fade. It remains an ongoing concern for many reasons. One being that there has been an uptick in distracted driving in Georgia and states across the nation.
Georgia’s response to distracted driving
In an effort to reduce distracted driving and better observe distracted driving awareness month, law enforcement in Georgia joined in a week-long effort to combat distracted driving. Their goal is to not only help better inform motorist but to save more lives.
Distracted driving is defined as any activity that takes a driver’s attention away from driving. This includes activities that take their eyes off of the road, hands off of the wheel or mind off of the task of driving. These activities could include talking on the phone, talking to passengers, eating, adjusting the radio and even grooming. Georgia has a hands-free law in place, and they have seen how this has saved lives. With these efforts, they seek to save even more lives.
A distracted driver is a dangerous driver. They are just as if not more dangerous than a drunk driver. Thus, the injuries and damages that an accident caused by a distracted driver can be extensive. Those harmed or impacted by a distracted driver should understand what options and rights they might have. A personal injury action could help a victim not only hold a negligent driver accountable for the incident but also help with the recovery of compensation for the damages and losses suffered.