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Why cellphones increase the likelihood of car accidents

Many people suffer from car accidents because drivers are intoxicated, aggressive or negligent – but one of the most common causes of auto accidents is actually distracted driving.

There are three kinds of driving distractions: visual, manual and cognitive. In other words, a driver becomes distracted when they look away from the road, take their hands off the wheel or think about anything other than driving. Distracted driving can be caused by eating and drinking, talking to passengers or changing the radio – but the biggest culprit of the modern age is the cellphone.

Texting and driving is a large cause of distracted driving accidents. Cellphones are made to attract the attention of drivers when they receive a call or text. Phones may also get notifications from apps that cause drivers to look away from the road.

How drivers can reduce texting and driving distractions

There are many things drivers can do to reduce phone distractions. For starters, drivers can put their phones in places that are not easily accessible. A driver could put their phone in a glove box or in a bag.

Drivers can also turn on “focus mode.” Focus mode silences calls and texts. The text and calls will still be seen, but drivers won’t know about them until the next time they look at their phone. 

The most straightforward way to reduce distracted driving accidents caused by texting and driving is to turn off phones. Once a phone is shut down, the driver can’t see or hear any notifications. The driver also can’t access apps without turning their phones back on. As such, a powered-down phone can remind drivers to focus on the road.

Drivers need to be aware of their legal rights if they’re suffering from injuries caused by a distracted driver. If you’ve been hurt, a personal injury claim can help you recover your losses.