State Farm
has been conducting an annual survey since 2009 that tracks the behaviors of
drivers in relation to their cell phones. Surveys show that actual talking on
cellphones has decreased, while texting while driving has remained steady.
Surfing the web while driving, however, has significantly increased.
According
to State Farm, the number of drivers who use the Internet has doubled (from 13%
in 2009 to 26% in 2014), and reading emails while driving has nearly doubled as
well (15% in 2009 to 25% in 2014). Social media usage while driving has also
increased from 9% in 2009 to 20% in 2014.
Since
2007, 44 states and the District of Columbia have placed bans on texting while
driving, according to the Governors Highway Safety Association. Fourteen states
and Washington D.C. prohibit the use of hand-held cellphones while driving. No
state prohibits all cellphone use behind the wheel, however.
Chris
Mullen, State Farm’s director of technology research says it’s not certain why
these certain behaviors are increasing, but they are just as dangerous. “People
have a perception of what they are able to do with the attention span they have
(while driving). They believe they have available attention they can spend on
something in addition to driving. They will spend that time with various
behaviors.”
As technology
continues to advance, people become more and more addicted to their devices.
Now that people have their whole lives at their fingertips (email, social
life/media, internet, etc.), it’s incredibly easy and common nature to
constantly check these things on the phone. No matter if you are texting or
checking your email, you are looking down at that phone when your eyes should be
on the road. The only safe thing you could do with your phone while driving is
to not be on it at all.
If
you or someone you know has been involved in a car crash or truck accident in
Detroit, Grand Rapids, Warren, Sterling Heights, Lansing, Flint, Ann Arbor,
Livonia, Dearborn, Canton, Westland, Troy, Farmington Hills, Southfield,
Waterford or any other city in Michigan, make sure to contact Motor City
Accident Attorneys by calling 1-800-411-PAIN. Motor City Accident Attorneys
know how stressful a car accident can be and want to help you get back on your
feet. They will fight tirelessly for your rights and help you get the
compensation you deserve, according to your specific case. Make sure to follow
Motor City Accident Attorneys on Twitter (@MCAccidentAtty) and Facebook. Join
the conversation by using #MCAA.
