Is Distracted Driving the Number One Killer on Kentucky Roads?

The Ugly Truth

“Buckle Up and Phone Down” is the new safety mantra for Kentucky roads. With nearly 300 fatalities per year attributed to distracted drivers, Kentucky has the notoriety of being in the third position on a list of 25 worst states for distracted driving.

In addition, Kentucky is on the list of the most dangerous states to drive in, and it’s easy to understand why three lawmakers are working overtime to introduce a hands-free driving law in 2020.

Distracted driving car accidents make most question the senselessness of a negligent act that can kill or maim one or more people. Of course, everybody realizes that inattentiveness while behind the wheel is dangerous.

But, the big problem is that very few drivers out there are willing to admit that this is as much their problem as that of the other motorists on the road. Many drive around under the fallacy that while they can handle using their cell phones and driving safely simultaneously, other motorists cannot manage the feat! The truth is:

• It only takes 3 seconds of inattentiveness to cause a crash, but texting causes people to take their eyes off the road for at least 5 seconds.
• Using a cell phone in any way can reduce the mental resources devoted to driving by as much as 40%.
• According to the NHTSA, distracted driving is the culprit in almost 80% of all crashes and 65% of near-misses.
• The Kentucky State Police lists driver inattentiveness as the top contributing factor to collisions.
• In 2017, distracted driving led to 1100 crashes in Kentucky; nine lives were lost in those accidents.

Are cell phones the only distraction?

Not at all! But they do happen to be a huge problem. The Public Affairs Commander of Kentucky State Police put it succinctly when he said that using a cell phone when behind the wheel is much like driving after downing a few beers. The users are buzzed to the point where they don’t notice how and when they get from point A to point B.

He blamed the cognitive lapse on people unknowingly looking at their screens for a minute or more while driving at 60 miles per hour. At that speed, they would pass multiple football fields without once peering up to see the cars and pedestrians right in front of their vehicle.

Distracted driving is just as bad as drunk driving

In a study by the University of Utah, the researchers concluded that both hands-free and handheld use of cell phones slows down the reaction time of motorists by as much as a blood alcohol content of 0.08%.

Despite this, more than half of all drivers report using their cell phones in some manner while driving. And, no, this is not an age-specific thing. In one survey, over 30% of drivers in the broad age range of 18 to 65 years confessed to using their cell phones to send emails and text messages while driving.

Yes, distractions can come in different forms

The University of Kentucky analyzed the state traffic collision data. It concluded that the three human factors: distraction, inattention, and the use of cell phones are responsible for a massive 43% of all collisions in Kentucky. Undoubtedly, the allure of the small screen is a problem, but distractions come from various sources and in different forms. They can be clubbed into four categories:

1. In-car distractions: This is just about everything in the car, including drawing your attention away from the road. It could be the weather control, music system, or even the GPS. Reach out to change, sing, set the GPS, or adjust the temperature. The system can adapt our cognitive, visual, and manual resources, thus increasing the crash risk. Ditto for lack of familiarity with a particular vehicle, its systems, and technology; these also engage the mind and move your focus away from the road.
2. Out-of-car distractions: As the name suggests, these refer to all visual and auditory aspects of the vehicle that make you do a double take. So, everything from construction to anything that attracts your attention, such as controversial or unusual billboards or at attracts your attention can lead to ugly consequences.
3. Internal distractions: These include everything from daydreaming to enjoying music or the outdoor scenery. Also, illnesses, physical injuries, and effects of medication are all distractions in this category.
4. External distractions: Last but certainly not least are all other non-mental and non-auto aspects inside the car that grab your attention. Case in point: passengers, pets, bugs, food, drinks, and everything else distract your eyes from the road.

No matter what causes it, a distraction is always dangerous

Make no mistake: distraction in all its forms is dangerous. After all, the human brain is designed to handle only one task at a time, which is why most of us fumble at multitasking. So, forcing that noggin to divide its resources is bound to be a recipe for trouble. Take a look at just how much trouble:

• Experienced drivers are more susceptible to out-of-car distractions, while inexperienced drivers succumb more easily to in-car distractions.
• Outside (out of the car), distractions (rubbernecking) lead to almost 8% of distracted driving crashes and cause more than half of all intersection accidents.
• Time spent adjusting temperature, music, and other devices or control systems causes almost 2% of all accidents.
• Eating and drinking while driving are responsible for almost 2% of all distracted driving crashes.
• Jabbering away with other occupants leads to 5% of all inattentive/distracted driving accidents.
• Cell phone usage contributes to 15% of all crashes.
• Children, pets, and daydreaming collectively contribute to nearly one-half of all inattentiveness-related and distracted driving mishaps.

You should not have to pay for the lapses and the negligence of a distracted driver

Distracted and inattentive drivers lose their situational awareness and ability to rapidly react to potential crash risks. In turn, this hampers their ability to maintain proper lane position, to quickly engage the brakes, to make defensive maneuvers, and to obey traffic signs and signals.

Is a crash inevitable in such a scenario? Yes.  However, you can count on this driver’s insurance company to twist the narrative to limit and even eliminate the blame on their insureds.

After all, that is the only way they can avoid paying you the compensation that is yours. This is where a skilled attorney with experience in handling cases for victims of distracted driving accidents can come to your rescue.

At Sam Aguiar Injury Lawyers, we have an excellent track record of helping our clients injured by distracted drivers. So, if you have suffered injuries in a crash involving a distracted driver, contact us today by phone at 502-888-8888, chat, or email so that our experienced attorneys can ensure you get the fair compensation you deserve.