Who can help end distracted driving?

In 2015 alone, more than 3,000 people were killed by distracted driving. Despite the fact that most people are familiar with the dangers, this remains a major problem throughout the United States.

Fortunately, there are people out there who can help end distracted driving once and for all.

To start, you need to take action for yourself. This means one thing: Make sure you never partake in any activity that will distract when you behind the wheel. From texting to applying makeup, there is time to do this when your vehicle is stopped.

Here are some other groups of people who can take action:

• Parents. Parents should discuss distracted driving with teens, doing whatever they can to help them understand the dangers.
• Teens. Teens often struggle with distracted driving, as they have a hard time realizing just how dangerous it can be.
• Employers and educators. High schools and colleges, for example, can share information on distracted driving and how to avoid this dangerous activity.

It’s easy to believe that distracted driving isn’t that big of a deal. This is particularly true among people who have gotten away with this in the past. However, it only takes one mistake to cause an accident.

If a distracted driver strikes your vehicle, your health and well-being should be the only thing you’re concerned about. Call 911 and wait for help to arrive.

Once you receive treatment and understand your injuries, you can then learn more about the cause of the accident. When doing so, keep your legal rights in mind, as the distracted driver may be responsible for paying some or all of your expenses.

Source: NHTSA, “Distracted Driving,” accessed Dec. 28, 2017