Distracted driving is an epidemic, resulting in thousands of deaths and countless personal injuries every year. To stem the tide of preventable accidents, the National Safety Council has declared April Distracted Driving Awareness month. While answering a quick text or looking for traffic updates behind the wheel may not seem too dangerous, just a moment’s inattention is all it takes to cause a serious accident, which could have lifelong consequences for you or someone else.

The Dangers of Distracted Driving

On average, most drivers take their eyes off the road for five seconds when reading and responding to a text message. At highway speeds, this is the equivalent of driving across an entire football field with your eyes closed. If you’re distracted by your phone, you may not notice your vehicle drifting into another lane or be able to respond to another driver’s unpredictable actions until it’s too late. In fact, some researchers have concluded that distractions are even more dangerous than alcohol when it comes to impairing a driver’s reaction time and ability to avoid accidents.

Distracted Driving Is Illegal

Responding to the dangers of distracted driving, most states have made it illegal to use handheld electronic devices behind the wheel. In Hawaii, for example, drivers using their phone or tablet while driving faces a $257 fine, or even higher if you’re pulled over in a school or construction zone. If your distracted driving causes an accident in which someone is hurt or killed, you could find yourself facing criminal penalties and expensive personal injury claims.

If you or a loved one has been hurt by a distracted driver, the personal injury attorneys at Charles H. Brower Law Corporation will help hold them legally responsible. Their team of highly skilled professionals has fought for the rights of accident victims throughout Oahu, providing caring service and effective representation to those who need it most. To discuss your accident and schedule a consultation with a respected personal injury lawyer, visit them online or call their office at (808) 526-2688.