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San Diego Drivers Emailing More Behind the Wheel

Like most places in the United States, the roads in Del Mar, Hillcrest, Vista, CA and surrounding areas have became more dangerous due to the increasing prevalence of cell phones and other electronic devices that can be used in vehicles. Far too many people are focused on using their smart phones in their vehicles instead of keeping their eyes and minds on the road.

A personal injury lawyer knows that any type of electronic device use, including hands-free devices, presents a cognitive distraction that can significantly increase the risk of a collision. Most drivers are aware of the risks, especially since 44 states have laws in place limiting or banning the use of cell phones to talk or text while driver. However, even knowing that it is dangerous, far too many people disregard their awareness of the risks and continue to use a phone while behind the wheel.

DRIVERS CONTINUE TO CHOOSE DISTRACTIONS OVER FOCUS

State Farm has conducted a study each year since 2009 to get a glimpse into driver’s attitudes towards distracted driving, as well as towards driver behaviors. Attitudes and behaviors do not necessarily align, since people keep using their phones even as more people are aware of the risks.

The good news from the 2014 State Farm report, as published by USA Today, is that there has been a decline in the number of motorists talking on handheld cell phone devices while operating their vehicle. All the other news in the report, however, paints a more troubling picture. The problem: the use of electronic devices for going online and doing other tasks has increased dramatically.

In 2009, only 13 percent of respondents to State Farm’s survey said they had gone online while driving. By 2014, however, 26 percent said they used the Internet while operating their car. This means the number of people who may be online as they drive has doubled.

The number of motorists reading their emails while driving has also increased a lot, almost but not quite doubling. In 2009, 15 percent of drivers said they’d used email while operating the car while 26 percent admitted to doing the same on this years survey.

The number of drivers who use social media sites while driving has also more than doubled in the past six years. In 2009, nine percent of respondents to the State Farm survey said they had used an electronic device to check in or post on some kind of social network while also driving at the same time. In this years survey, 20 percent admitted to checking a social networking site while behind the wheel.

One possible reason why there has been an increase in these types of non-talking distractions is that people have moved away from phone calls towards texting and emailing. However, drivers may also overestimate their ability to quickly send a text or check in online without increasing the risk of a collision. The reality is, any time your brain focuses on anything but the road, you up the chances of a crash happening. Texting, emailing and using the Internet are major distractions and the increased risk of a collision is significant.

Contact a San Diego, CA personal injury attorney after your motor vehicle accident. Call the Law Offices of Ronald B. Laba today at 866-434-1577 or visit http://www.injurylawofsandiego.com. Also serving Del Mar, Hillcrest, Vista, CA and surrounding areas.

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