From the consumption of alcohol to slick roads and dangerous speeds, motor vehicle accidents happen for all sorts of reasons. In all parts of New Mexico, many of these collisions are the result of people sending or receiving text messages. For drivers who own cell phones, it is essential to understand the dangers of distracted driving and avoid using phones while behind the wheel. Moreover, victims of distracted driving accidents should make sure that irresponsible drivers are held answerable.
Whenever a driver takes part in any type of task that is not related to driving while operating a vehicle, they increase the chances of a crash. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration states that drivers cannot operate their vehicles safely unless they are fully focused on the road. Unfortunately, texting is an especially common distraction which diverts drivers’ attention from the road for an average of five seconds. If someone is traveling at 55 miles per hour, they would drive the distance of a football field during this amount of time.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, over two out of every five high school student drivers sent an email or text message while operating a vehicle in the previous 30 days, during 2013. Moreover, statistics show that young people who send or receive texts while operating a vehicle also have a greater chance of riding along with another driver who is under the influence of alcohol. Sadly, text messages and other distractions have claimed many lives and left even more people hurt.