I have written numerous articles about a host of driver distractions, but today I read an article that goes far beyond any distracted driving incident that I have ever blogged about.
The Michigan State Police Department said that a 58-year-old man died after rolling his car on the ramp from the Lodge to I-75 in Detroit. He was partially ejected through the sunroof and thrown from the vehicle. Police said the man was not wearing a seat belt, which is why he was ejected. Although an investigation is ongoing into this single vehicle accident, there is a reasonable assumption as to what led to the crash. Police found not only evidence that the man was watching a porn film on his smartphone, but he was quite possibly masturbating at the time of the crash; when they arrived the man was not wearing pants. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
This fatality goes to show that there are far more possible distractions than anyone could ever imagine. How many times must we hear that taking your eyes, hands, and mind off the road for any reason is reckless and negligent behavior? Diverting one’s eyes from the road (or hands from the wheel), even for a second, is dangerous. Do not put yourself and others at risk. Be a responsible driver; Put your focus on the task at hand and save the call, eating, grooming, and even porn for another time. It is not only your own lives at stake, but the lives of many others, whether passengers, fellow drivers, or pedestrians. Distracted driving is a problem that we can all address through education and self-control.
Mark Bello is the CEO and General Counsel of Lawsuit Financial Corporation, a pro-justice lawsuit funding company.
