While the majority of Mississippi drivers are careful and attentive when driving, there are some drivers that find it necessary to engage in other activities when driving that prevent them from focusing on the road ahead and potential traffic hazards.  Virtually all drivers sometimes exercise poor judgment by driving when distracted.  The danger associated with distracted driving in Mississippi has grown exponentially with the increase in handheld electronic communication gadgets.  Mobile phones, iPods, tablet computers, GPS devices and other electronic devices have become as dangerous as drunk drivers.  We have provided information regarding the rights of Mississippi motorists who are involved in Mississippi distracted driving accidents.

What are the most dangerous forms of distracted driving?

There are many forms of distracted driving that can result in serious collisions in Mississippi including the following:

• Texting while driving
• Talking on a cell phone
• Eating or drinking
• Reading
• Surfing the internet
• Using a GPS device
• Reaching for an object or child in the vehicle
• Grooming including brushing one’s hair or putting on makeup
• Conversations with passengers
• Adjusting the car stereo or CD player

Are many car accidents caused by districted driving?

Distracted driving is such a serious public safety issue that it is has been called “the new drunk driving epidemic” by federal motor vehicle safety agencies.  Motor vehicle accidents cause fifteen fatalities and 1,200 injuries per day in the U.S.  This amounts to 5,400 distracted driving fatalities and almost 450,000 injuries per year.  Distracted driving has become the number one cause of motor vehicle related fatalities among teen drivers.

How serious a factor are cell phones as a driver distraction?

Whether used for telephone calls or texting, many drivers routinely use their cell phone when driving.  A study conducted of U.S. drivers found that three-fours of all U.S. drivers surveyed admitted to talking on their cell phone during the previous thirty day period.  A quarter of U.S. drivers admit to frequently using a cell phone while driving.  Texting and emailing from a mobile phone is particularly distracting because it requires concentration on the screen and physical manipulation of a keyboard.  Nonetheless, approximately nine percent of drivers indicate that they text or email regularly while driving.

How do driving distractions impact driving behavior?

There are three kinds of driver distractions: (1) visual, (2) physical and (3) mental.  A visual distraction is any distraction that causes a driver to divert one’s eyes from the roadway, such as looking at the screen of a cell phone or glancing at children in the backseat of a vehicle.  A physical distraction involves reaching for an object or passenger in the vehicle.  The classic physical distraction might be reaching into the back seat to discipline children.  Mental distractions can range from carrying on a conversation that diverts mental concentration to listening to music on the radio.  The most dangerous types of distractions impact a driver on all three levels.  If you send a text message while driving, for example, it requires that you use your fingers to type, your eyes to view the screen and your mind to process what to write.

Is text messaging really as dangerous as drunk driving?

A study conducted by the University of Utah revealed that drivers that text while driving exhibit more impaired driving ability than drivers with a BAC of .08 percent, which is the legal limit for DUI.  The researchers compared reaction times of drivers when braking and found that texting activity slows reaction time considerably more than being over the legal limit for DUI.

What laws limit or restrict cell phone use while driving in Mississippi?

Twenty separate bills were proposed in Mississippi to restrict cell phone use while driving during 2011 with three more addressing text messaging bans in 2012.  However, the only cell phone restriction currently in effect is a restriction on text messaging by inexperienced teen drivers that have not yet been granted an unrestricted drivers’ license.  Mississippi bus drivers are also prohibited from using any wireless communication device when transporting children.

Some driving distractions are so much a part of the daily behavior of motorists that drivers never even contemplate the risk.  One of the most dangerous forms of driving distraction other than the use of cell phones and other portable electronic devices is eating and drinking while driving.  When food and drinks are spilled, drivers may be forced to divert their hands, eyes and concentration away from the task of driving to clean up the mess.  The distraction is even greater if the food or beverage is hot or scalding.  If you are injured in a Mississippi distracted driving accident or a loved one dies, you may have the right to seek damages for your injuries or loss.  The experienced Mississippi distracted driving accident attorneys at Barrett Law have been providing aggressive representation to Mississippi distracted driving accident victims for over 75 years.  We provide diligent legal representation and impassioned advocacy so we invite you to call us today at 662-834-2376 to learn how we can help.