Study: Many drivers do not believe texting and driving is dangerous

A new study reveals that many drivers do not believe texting and driving is unsafe or that it has an impact on their ability to drive safely.

Most drivers in Ohio and Kentucky recognize that pulling out their cellphone behind the wheel and using it to talk, text or browse the internet is dangerous. Despite this belief, many drivers continue to se their cellphone behind the wheel and in a new study, researchers found many drivers do not see the risk in texting and driving.

Self-regulation a driving factor

In this study, 447 drivers located in Australia answered questions relating to perceived driving ability, driving comfort, crash risk and likelihood of engaging in texting and driving. After analyzing the information they collected, researchers concluded that:

• Women are more likely than men to use their cellphone while operating a vehicle
• The longer a person has a license, the less likely it is for him or her to use a cellphone behind the wheel
• Those who are less inhibited are more likely to engage in distractions while driving

There were also certain beliefs present among the participants that made drivers more likely to use a mobile device while driving. For example, some of the drivers believed they needed more convincing evidence to believe texting and driving was dangerous, and some of the drivers also believed that texting minimally impacted their ability to drive safely.

At the same time, the researchers found that the presence of law enforcement officials and demanding traffic conditions were likely to diminish the prevalence of distracted driving. This study supports the need for more high-visibility police enforcement programs to combat the effects of cellphone use behind the wheel.

Concerning statistics

Because many drivers believe distraction does not inhibit their ability to drive safely, many people continue to be injured or killed in distracted driving-related accidents every year. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2015 alone, 3,477 people were killed in accidents where distraction was a factor. Also in 2015, 391,000 people were injured in distracted driving-related collisions.

On a daily basis in the U.S., more than 1,000 people are injured and approximately nine people die in accidents involving a distracted driver.

Contact an attorney

Those who are involved in a distracted driving crash in Kentucky or Ohio may suffer significant injuries that render them unable to go back to work, school or the normal activities of their daily life. For this reason, distracted driving accident victims should contact an attorney in their area for help fighting for their legal rights following the collision.