Put your phone down for a second. According to a study conducted by State Farm last fall, 63% of drivers are more likely to use their smartphones when stopped at a red light, and 30% are more likely to use their phones when driving on the open highway. And that’s just the beginning
The survey, conducted over six years, polled more than 1,000 people over the age of 18 and discovered that smartphone ownership increased 28% between 2011 and 2014. Today, eight in ten Americans own a smartphone, and 52% of them report checking it more than four times an hour. Perhaps not surprisingly, drivers aged 18-29 use their smartphones the most, often sending and receiving text messages,reading emails and engaging with social media while driving.
Data from the Delaware Department of Transportation shows that the number of auto accidents resulting from distracted driving, which includes cell phone use when driving, has remained steady at nearly 5,000 per year since 2009. Even more troubling, 10% of those polled reported that school zones and construction sites played no role in determining when they use their cell phones.
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If you or a loved one is currently struggling with a car-related injury, please contact the attorneys at Hales & Associates, Attorneys for a complimentary consultation. With over two decades’ experience representing victims of car accidents, our personal injury lawyers are uniquely equipped to help you obtain the outcome you deserve.