When a driver is using a cellphone behind the wheel, they are clearly distracted. They may be trying to take a picture, looking at their GPS, reading a text message or just holding the phone to carry on a conversation. Regardless, as long as they’re engaging with the device in some way, they’re distracted from the road around them.
In order to drive safely, some drivers decide that they’re not going to use the phone as long as the car is moving. But when they stop at a red light or they’re sitting in stalled traffic – as they come up to a construction zone, for example – then they will use their phone. They believe that they are safe and can avoid distraction as long as they put the phone down before they start driving again.
Why this doesn’t work
This sounds good in theory, but the reality is that it doesn’t work. Researchers have studied it and found that drivers who put their phones down are still distracted. In fact, there’s evidence that this distraction remains for the next 27 seconds.
This may be part of the reason that so many car accidents happen at intersections. A driver may be waiting for the light to turn green and looking at their phone. As soon as the light turns, they set the phone on the seat next to them and start driving the vehicle. But that distraction won’t actually end for roughly another half of a minute, so they could cause a distracted driving accident at the intersection – even though they’re no longer holding the phone.
Car accidents happen for numerous reasons and those who have been injured due to the negligence of other drivers need to know how to seek financial compensation.