Learn the Facts About Distracted Driving in Maryland

Distracted driving is any action that includes taking your mind away from the task of driving, your eyes off the road, or your hands off the wheel, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Last year alone, distracted driving was responsible for nearly 3,150 deaths throughout the country.

At the Law Office of Robert Castro, our Waldorf, Maryland car accident attorneys believe the more our Charles County residents know about the dangers of distracted driving — including texting and driving — the safer they can be on our roadways.

Distracted Driving Causes Nearly Ten Deaths Each Day in the United States

According to the Center for Disease Control, an estimated 450,000 people are injured each year in crashes involving a distracted driver.

• Each day, nearly ten people are killed in those collisions.
• Approximately one in five of the people who were killed in distracted driving crashes were not in other vehicles. They were pedestrians and bicyclists.

More to the point, the growth in the country’s dependence on technology, including cellphones and onboard electronics is contributing to a significant number of these deadly crashes.

Last year’s statistics reported:

• Driver distraction is responsible for more than 58% of teen crashes.
• Drivers ages 15-19 made up 10% of distracted drivers who were using their cellphones in fatal crashes.
• Drivers in their 20s made up 38% of distracted drivers who were using their cellphones in fatal crashes.
• 75% of drivers throughout the country ages 18-29 reported that they “often or regularly” talk on their cellphones while driving.
• 25% of drivers throughout the country over the age of 30 reported that they “often or regularly” talk on their cellphones while driving.

What is the Overall Percentage of Vehicle Collisions Caused by Distracted Driving?

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Traffic Safety Facts reports crash causation statistics throughout the country.

Last year, they listed distracted driving accounted for:

• 8% of all fatal crashes
• 14 of all police-reported crashes
• 15% of all injury crashes

The reality is, distracted driving is more than just cellphone usage, which is why it is widespread among all age groups. Talking with passengers, picking up a dropped object, eating or drinking behind the wheel, and daydreaming are all contributing factors in distracted driving crashes.

At the Law Office of Robert Castro, our auto accident lawyers in Waldorf, Maryland sincerely hope you never need us. But if your life is negatively impacted by a distracted driver, we can help you pursue their insurance coverage for the damages you deserve, so you can get your life back.

If you have been injured during a distracted driving accident in Maryland, contact our experienced car accident attorneys in Waldorf at the Law Office of Robert Castro by calling 301.870.1200 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation to discuss your case today.