In September 2013, Plymouth Rock Assurance, a New Jersey auto insurance company, released the results of a NJ distracted driving study it conducted earlier this year. Through an online survey, the study polled 1,000 NJ drivers between the ages of 17 and 25 who operate a vehicle at least once a week. *Source: http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/east/2013/09/04/303986.htm (N.J. Survey: Over 60% of Young Drivers Say They’ve Texted While Driving)
The study found the following:
- 61% of drivers acknowledged having sent text messages while driving;
- 73% of drivers have seen a friend texting while driving; and
- 70% of drivers have seen a friend using a phone without hands-free technology while driving.
Perhaps the most alarming finding is that young drivers who admitted to texting while driving in NJ also knew about the dangers of distracted driving and believe that it is one of the biggest safety problems on NJ roads and highways.
Another disturbing finding is that 25% of young drivers have seen one of their parents texting while driving, and 57% have seen one of their parents talking on their cell phone while driving.
New Jersey Drivers Continue to Text or Talk on a Cell Phone While Driving
Reports of distracted driving accidents, whether it involves talking or texting, are on the news almost every day. Cell phone companies and car insurance companies use television commercials to show the devastating effects distracted driving accidents have on drivers and their families. If drivers know about the dangers and consequences of texting while driving or other distracted driving, the question is why they still do it.
The answer may be because they don’t think it will happen to them. Drivers who text while driving for the first time without incident may develop a false sense of security that they can do it with no problem. They often text and drive again more times without incident. After several times, they may believe that they are good at multi-tasking and believe that they will not cause auto accidents at all. It may become a habit for them after doing it so many times.
What drivers must realize is that a misguided opinion of texting abilities while driving is not the reason car accidents have not happened to them. They just have been very lucky. Most distracted drivers who cause accidents often say after the accidents that they cannot believe it happened to them.
Injured victims of NJ car accidents caused by cell phone use/distracted driving can suffer serious injuries, such as fractured bones throughout the body or permanent head and brain injuries. These injuries significantly impact the injured victims’ lives. Victims may no longer be able to work or provide financial stability for their families.
New Jersey’s New Distracted Driving Law
Drivers have to stop texting while driving and/or talking on the phone while driving on New Jersey roadways. Distracted driving accidents are completely avoidable. Perhaps New Jersey’s new distracted driving law, which will go into effect next summer, will help stop distracted driving accidents. The law makes distracted driving a primary offense and significantly increases the current fines for violators. See NJ Cell Phone Use & Car Accident Law: NJ Gets Tougher on Distracted Driving – By A NJ Car Accident Lawyer
Related NJ Car Accident Legal Articles
- Injured in a NJ Car Accident? – The Basics of Medical Benefit (PIP) Claims
- New Jersey Car Truck Accidents – What Can You Recover?
HELP AFTER A NJ CAR ACCIDENT. FREE CONSULTATIONS. 800.281.8695
Philip Ciprietti has been helping injured victims for over 35 years and has helped many car, bus and truck accident victims in NJ. If you were injured in a car, truck or bus accident on the NJ Turnpike, AC Expressway or other New Jersey highways, feel free to contact Phil T. Ciprietti, Esquire for a free initial consultation. 800.281.8695
*Disclaimer: Every case is unique and you should not take any action or make decisions in your case without speaking to a qualified car and truck accident lawyer in New Jersey. This website page does not provide legal advice or create an attorney-client relationship. Use of the contact form on this website or emailing Mr. Ciprietti does not create any attorney-client relationship. In addition, confidential information should not be sent through the contact form.