Any activity that takes your mind, eyes, or hands off the steering wheel is considered a distraction when you’re driving. This includes eating, grooming, adjusting the air conditioning controls, or talking to passengers. In today’s world, distracted driving now includes cell phone use of any kind. Reach out to an Indianapolis car crash lawyer if you’ve been injured in an accident.
Here is what we know about the effects of cell phones on motorists.
Why Using a Cell Phone While Driving Is So Dangerous
Today’s cell phones do a lot more than just make calls. They can be used for texting, taking pictures, entertainment, and navigation.
Texting on your cell phone is one of the most dangerous types of distracted driving simply because it requires so much of your attention: You’re looking at your phone, thinking about what you’re about to type, and taking one hand off the steering wheel to do it.
Even a brief glance at your phone can take your attention away from the road, making it harder to react to changing traffic conditions. Distracted driving reduces your awareness and increases the likelihood of a crash. The risks become even greater when distracted driving is combined with the dangers of speeding.
Types of Distracted Driving
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that distracted driving falls into three categories:
- Visual: A driver takes their eyes off the road.
- Manual: A driver’s hands are off the steering wheel.
- Cognitive: A driver is focused on something other than driving.
When it comes to the dangers of texting while driving, all three types of distractions are at play. Looking at a phone means at least one hand is off the wheel.
When thoughts are preoccupied with the content on a device, they are elsewhere, while the main concentration should be on driving. The dangers of texting and driving result from the distractions that cell phones introduce into a car environment.
Dangers of Texting and Driving: It’s in the Numbers
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in the U.S., 3,208 people died in motor vehicle accidents because of distracted driving in 2024. That same year, 315,167 people were injured due to distracted driving. Breaking down these numbers reveals that distracted driving accounted for 8% of fatal crashes and 13% of injury crashes.
Other relevant statistics for 2024 include:
- 5% of all drivers in fatal crashes were reportedly distracted at the time of the crash.
- The following age groups had the largest proportion of distracted drivers: 15 to 20 years old, 21 to 24 years old, 25 to 34 years old, and 35 to 44 years old.
- There were a total of 639 bicyclists, pedestrians, and nonoccupants killed in crashes that resulted from distracted driving.
Texting while behind the wheel causes too many crashes, injuries, and deaths that could have been easily avoided.
Indiana’s Cell Phone Laws
Under Indiana law, drivers aren’t allowed to hold a mobile device while driving. However, drivers over 18 are permitted to use hands-free devices. The maximum fine for using a cell phone while driving is $500.
Other Consequences of Texting and Driving
If the accident rate and fatality numbers are not enough, there are other consequences that come from texting and driving, including:
Higher Insurance Rates
Not only do you pose a threat to yourself and those around you if you text and drive, but because of those actions and consequences, your insurance will increase. Even if you do not get into an accident, you can still get a ticket for texting and driving, which will increase your insurance.
Property Damage
One danger of texting and driving is single-vehicle crashes. Even if you do not get into a collision with another car, you can severely damage your own property and injure yourself.
How to Avoid Distracted Driving
The easiest way to prevent distracted driving accidents is to stay focused. If you’re behind the wheel of a vehicle, your job is to make sure that you’re alert, attentive, and driving defensively. You can’t control whether a driver in another car is using a cell phone, but by staying distraction-free, you can be alert enough to react to their driving.
Parents can talk to their children about this early and model good driving behavior. Set rules against using wireless devices while driving, and talk with your teenagers about keeping their eyes and minds on the road. Get involved with local campaigns and organizations to raise awareness of the problems of texting and driving.
Contact an Automobile Accident Attorney Today
The prevalence of cell phones in today’s world means that, unfortunately, accidents involving distracted drivers will occur. It’s a tragedy when a preventable accident happens because of a few seconds of distraction.
If you’ve been injured or are facing a complex legal matter, reach out to Wilson Kehoe Winingham Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation. Our team serves clients across Indianapolis and throughout Indiana, and we’re ready to pursue the justice and full compensation you deserve.