There are rules everyone must follow on the road in order to ensure the safety of all drivers. Never cross a double line, yield to pedestrians, and signal before a turn are just a few of the rules every driver is taught. In recent years, new laws have been passed to combat distracted driving, such as the Indiana law banning cell phone use for people under 18. Adhering to these new laws is just as important as stopping at a stop sign or leaving adequate between you and the driver in front of you. Distracted driving has become one of the leading causes of motor vehicle accidents in the country. According to Distraction.gov, in 2014 alone, more than 430,000 people were injured and 3,100 were killed in accidents caused by distracted driving. Not scary enough? Here are a few more statistics to consider:
- 10% of all drivers 15 to 19-years-old who were in a fatal accident were distracted immediately preceding the accident.
- At any given moment, 660,000 Americans are using their cell phones while driving.
- Five seconds is the average time your eyes are off the road when texting, which is the equivalent of driving the length of a football field blindfolded.