Distracted driving has become one of the leading causes, if not the leading cause, of serious car crashes in Mississippi and throughout the country. The primary reason for the surge in distracted driving crashes involving car, trucks, SUV and other motor vehicles is because of our growing dependence on electronic gadgets. These devices include cell phones, iPods, handheld computers, Kindles and media players. These popular devices are raising serious concerns for the safety and well being of Mississippi drivers because it has been well established that the use of these devices when driving a motor vehicle is deadly. Last year alone, 29 percent of all serious car crashes were directly related to the driver becoming distracted by the use of these devices, with 16 percent resulting in fatalities.
Our society has become so dependent on portable electronic devices that many people are finding it difficult to lay them down when they get behind the wheel of a car. Our law firm has been representing those who suffer serious injury or wrongful death in Mississippi car crashes for many years. We our committed to helping keep the residents of Mississippi safe. This new danger confronting every Mississippi motorist is deadly and is growing in epidemic proportions.
We have developed some suggestions for Mississippi drivers to aid in alleviating this terrible epidemic that is killing too many of our friends, family and community members. Below are some suggestions to help drivers avoid use of electronic handheld devices when they get behind the wheel of any motor vehicle. We encourage everyone owning a handheld device to seriously consider following the suggestions listed below before getting in the driver’s seat. If everyone in our community makes a commitment to stop engaging in this risky behavior, we can prevent many needless catastrophic injuries and wrongful deaths.
Tips for Phone-Free Driving
- All drivers should develop a habit of turning off their cell phone when they climb behind the wheel.
- You should consider recording a voice mail greeting telling callers it is not safe to make calls while driving, and you will return their call as soon as you can do so safely.
- Travelers should organize their route and schedule to allow time to make and return phone calls from the parking lot of one location before leaving to drive to the next one. This strategy has helped employees who drive frequently maintain productivity and accessibility.
- While you drive do not make or answer cell phone calls, even with hands-free and voice recognition devices. Studies indicate that hands free calls are no safer than those where a handset is used. If you must make an emergency call, you should leave the road and park in a safe area.
- You should not send or read text messages or email. If necessary, you should have a passenger use the phone for you.
- Someone else should drive if you need to make or return calls.
- Every driver should focus all of his or her attention on the road and driving safely.
Mississippi drivers need to remember how important it is to give their full attention to the road and avoid putting their cell phones above the safety of other people. These devices have changed the way we communicate, but it is time we also change the way we communicate when we drive to avoid unnecessary car crashes and the human toll that accompanies such fatal car crashes.
At Barrett Law, PLLC, our Mississippi accident attorneys have been representing residents in Lexington and throughout Mississippi in serious motor vehicle accidents for over 75 years. We offer a free initial case evaluation so that we can assess your case and advise you of your rights so contact us today at (662) 834-2376.
