Distracted driving can easily cause car accidents that should be preventable. For instance, a distracted driver who looks down at a text message could drive as far as a football field without looking back up at the road. That driver would probably never close their eyes for 100 yards at highway speeds, because that would be terrifying. But they will look down at their phone, which essentially accomplishes the same feat.
Plus, phones are not the only source of distraction that drivers are regularly compelled to contend with. Anyone can get distracted, in any age group. A 20-year-old may drink coffee on the way in to work in the morning. A 30-year-old parent may get distracted by their children. An elderly driver could get distracted when they try to use their GPS. It happens to everyone. With that said, some drivers are more distracted than others.
Younger drivers get distracted more often
What the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has found is that younger drivers tend to experience higher levels of distraction than older drivers. For instance, the CDC sorted the statistics into one age group from 15 to 20 and another consisting of those who were 21 and older. The 15 to 20 age group was much smaller, but it had a higher percentage of distracted drivers, showing that this is where the rate – and risk – was the greatest.
Why are young drivers more easily distracted? Some of it may come down to experience. They haven’t been driving as long and so they don’t necessarily see the danger in these types of mistakes that older and more experienced drivers would. But some of it is also the development of technology. There is more tech in vehicles now than there ever has been, and young drivers have to contend with that. Using this technology can be a serious distraction for them.
Have you suffered injuries?
You can certainly avoid distraction when you drive, but you could still be injured by another driver who is distracted all the same. If you are, be sure you know how to seek financial compensation for medical bills and other costs, as you shouldn’t have to shoulder burdens that belong on the shoulders of the negligent party who caused your harm.
