All drivers are required to follow the rules of the road. This means they have to pay attention at all times and not be negligent behind the wheel. While this is true, there are many drivers who still break the law and engage in actions that are considered negligent driving. This can include the following:
Texting
The increase in smartphones over the years has caused more people to use them behind the wheel of a car. A Pew Research report showed that 77 percent of Americans own a smartphone as opposed to only 35 percent in 2011. When phones are used while driving, it requires drivers to take their eyes off the road and become distracted. This increases the odds of an accident happening.
Eating and Drinking
Everyone is guilty of taking a hand off the wheel from time to time either to finish a drink or take a bite of food. Even though it is common, it is still considered negligent driving. This is because studies show that eating and drinking behind the wheel can be just as deadly as texting and driving.
Personal Grooming
Many people try to multitask behind the wheel when they are in a rush to where they need to be. This can include actions such as checking their teeth in the rearview mirror or putting on makeup on the way to work. While these distractions can seem harmless, it can put the driver and others in danger of collision.
Talking to Passengers
When people have passengers in the car, it is hard to not engage in conversation with them. However, this is still considered to be a distraction. Federal data shows that over half of distracted driving accidents happen as a result of talking to passengers while driving.
Using a GPS
In this day and age, almost everyone uses some form of navigation. This can include a GPS system or an app on the phone. While they are common, they can also be a source of distraction. Even though it takes a split second to engage with a system, it only takes that long for an accident to happen.
Contact our Firm
If you or a loved one has been in a personal injury accident in Pennsylvania, it’s important that you contact an experienced Philadelphia personal injury attorney to help you with your case and to make sure that you are not taken advantage of. Contact Spear Greenfield to get the right attorney in your corner.
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