Why Texting While Driving May Be More Dangerous than DWI

It may come as a surprise that texting while driving is more worrisome to the majority of drivers than drunk driving. This is true despite the fact that statistics show that drunk drivers kill more people than drivers who are texting.

Survey and Facts About Texting While Driving

Cambridge Mobile Telematics conducted a survey on more than 700 drivers regarding distracted driving. Results showed that 63 percent of the participants worried more about distracted drivers than drunk drivers.

The following statistics also provide vital information:

• Distracted drivers kill an estimated nine people in vehicle crashes every day.
• Approximately 3,285 deaths occur every year due to texting while driving accidents.
• The average sober driver takes .54 seconds in reaction time to hit the brake.
• Drunk drivers react more slowly and the slower reaction adds four more feet before hitting the brake.
• Texting drivers react even slower than drunk drivers and their slower reaction adds 70 feet before braking.

Reported Accidents

Today all state legislatures have enacted drunk driving laws. It took years of campaigns, including Mothers Against Drunk Driving and other efforts along with public demand to eliminate for laws to emerge. All states now have blood alcohol content limits. Breathalyzers and sobriety tests are legal means to identify drivers who are intoxicated.

In 2016, there were 10,497 people who died as a result of drunk driving accidents. This number is greater than the number of reported deaths due to distracted driving.

However, there is no system in place to detect distracted driving the way there is with drunk driving. Distracted driving is much more difficult to detect and to report.

A Comparison of Laws

Laws for texting while driving are not nearly as stringent as drunken driving laws. All states now have no texting while driving laws. For mobile phones, many states, but not all, have hands-free laws. Despite the laws, the survey revealed that 75 percent of drivers see other drivers on their phones.

In New York, a first DWI offense is a misdemeanor, and penalties include the loss of driving privileges, fines and possible jail time. Penalties are much greater for subsequent DWI offenses.

By comparison, texting while driving carries a fine of $200 and points added to the driving record for violation. There is no license suspension and no jail time.

What to Do if You’re in a Crash Caused by a Distracted Driver

If you have been in a serious car crash and the other driver was at fault due to texting while driving, get legal help right away. Lawyers offer free consultations to evaluate your case. There would be no out-of-pocket expenses. When the attorney succeeds through settlement or verdict, the attorney’s fee is a percentage of the compensation.