According to The Associated Press, the Travelers Insurance “Every Second Counts” campaign conducted a survey of 435 people in Philadelphia, PA, to find out how many drivers admit to using cell phones while driving. While it’s no surprise that this is a common issue, the results revealed that more than half of of those polled, 75% to be exact, use a cell phone while operating a vehicle.
The survey broke down the results by age, with millennials being the highest ranking offenders at 91%. Following not far behind are gen xers at 79% and baby boomers at 64%. Reading texts or emails is the top reason for using a cell phone while driving, followed by updating or checking social media and recording a video.
With the National Highway Safety Administration reporting that more than 100 people die on U.S. roads every day, and attributing 94% of crashes to driver error, these survey results are terrifying for anyone out on the roads. Distracted driving is also the number one cause of teen fatalities in the country. In spite of these statistics, only 40% of participants said that an accident was a deterrent to using a phone while driving. Unfortunately, that fear is not enough to get people to focus solely on driving, nor do the laws that prevent texting while driving; there has also been a 172% increase in distracted driving citations since 2013.
These survey results prove, more than ever, that drivers need to be alert and look out for themselves while driving – you never know what the other vehicles on the road are doing or where their attention lies. If you or a loved one have been injured as a result of a distracted driver, our Pennsylvania distracted driving attorneys can help. Call 1-800-444-5309 for a free consultation.
