Motor vehicle collisions are one of the leading causes of both injury and death in Louisiana. People of all ages get hurt in car crashes, and some people die because of the injuries they sustain. Crashes can occur for a broad range of different reasons, many of which involve human error or poor decision-making.
Some people don’t properly maintain their vehicles, and critical systems may fail while they are in traffic. Other times, people exceed the speed limit or decide to drive after drinking. In recent years, distracted driving has become one of the most significant public safety scourges. According to a recent analysis of federal crash statistics and self-reported driver data, motorists using their phones at the wheel are one of the top causes of fatal crashes.
What do federal statistics show?
2022 saw a record number of traffic fatalities. There were roughly 46,000 deaths due to motor vehicle travel, which is a 22% increase over the numbers reported in 2021. In 2021, federal authorities recorded 42,939 traffic deaths. Researchers believe that between 25% and 30% of those deaths may have involved distracted driving.
When drivers responded to a survey of their traffic habits conducted by Travelers Insurance company, their admissions aligned with what federal researchers claim. A shocking 77% of motorists admit to sometimes using their mobile phones while driving.
Using phones for navigation was the most common form of distraction, with 74% of drivers admitting they rely on their phones to reach their destinations. Roughly 56% of motorists admitted to reading or sending either text messages or emails while driving.
More than a quarter of drivers, 27%, admitted that they updated or viewed social media while driving. Perhaps the most shocking admission was that 19% of motorists or one in five drivers admitted to shopping online while driving.
Louisiana sees thousands of serious crashes every year, hundreds of which lead to death. Many more result in significant injuries. If a motorist who causes a crash inappropriately used a phone prior to the wreck, they may ultimately be liable for any losses they caused for other people. Initiating a personal injury lawsuit or filing an insurance claim can potentially help to compensate those harmed by dangerously distracted drivers.