There are a variety of forms of distractions that can divert a driver’s attention of the road for seconds at a time. While cellphones and other electronic devices are commonly at the forefront of distracted driving discussions, these are not the only risks drivers in Montana can face. Recent studies indicate that something as simple as reaching for an object inside the vehicle while driving increases the risk of car accidents substantially.
Recent reports suggest that drivers who reach for an object while operating a motor vehicle are seven times more likely to be involved in a collision. While similar issues can affect drivers of any age, these studies indicate that this is of particular concern among teenage drivers. Researchers recently conducted a study involving just over 80 teenage drivers by equipping their vehicles with devices such as computers and video cameras and tracking the date over a recent one-year period.
The results of the study indicated that nearly 40 of those who took part in the study were involved in a collision and, in some cases, multiple collisions. In more than half of these accidents, researchers suggest that the driver was performing secondary tasks when the collision occurred. According to the data collected during the study, the chances that an accident could occur increased by nearly 30 percent for each second the driver’s eyes were taken off the task at hand.
Those who encounter a distracted driver may have little control over the events that unfold, and when car accidents occur, they may suffer severe harm in the process. Following such a devastating incident, a person could choose to speak with an attorney for advice on his or her available options for pursuing legal recourse. This type of guidance could help a person in Montana better prepare to pursue the restitution entitled through a personal injury lawsuit.