Handicap Your Phone, Not Yourself

When we think of distracted driving, the first thought that comes to mind is usually cell phone use; either talking or texting. But, distracted driving is any non-driving activity that a driver engages in while on the road. Distraction is defined by NHTSA as:

“a specific type of inattention that occurs when drivers divert their attention away from the task of driving to focus on another activity instead. These distractions can be electronic distractions, such as navigation systems and cell phones, or more conventional distractions, such as interacting with passengers and eating."

These distracting tasks can affect drivers in different ways and are categorized into the following three types:

• · Visual — taking your eyes off the road
• · Manual — taking your hands off the wheel
• · Cognitive — taking your mind off what you’re doing

Distracted driving has become an epidemic on our roadways especially with inexperienced teen drivers trying to multitask behind the wheel. While all distractions while driving are dangerous, texting has become the biggest cause of concern that involves all three types of distraction. Teens think it won’t happen to them, so nothing will stop them from texting. That is exactly what seventeen-year-old Alex Brown said. Alex became one of the DOT’s “Faces of Distracted Driving." Although the often told Alex about the dangers of texting and driving, her parents knew she would never quit. Now, Taser International, manufacturer of stun guns, offers a new Protector safe-driver system to encourage safe driving, especially among teenagers. The system works by locking smartphones while the car is running and the phone is in the vehicle. It also enables parents to coach their teen drivers by providing real-time rule violation alerts through the console software. Would this have saved Alex’s life? Probably so, but is it enough? Safety advocates, businesses, and law enforcement officials cannot do it alone. In order to stop this deadly behavior everyone must get involved because everyone is affected when drivers are distracted. The risks are simply too high!

Mark Bello has thirty-three years experience as a trial lawyer and twelve years as an underwriter and situational analyst in the lawsuit funding industry. He is the owner and founder of Lawsuit Financial Corporation which helps provide legal finance cash flow solutions and consulting when necessities of life litigation funding is needed by plaintiffs involved in pending, personal injury litigation. Bello is a Justice Pac member of the American Association for Justice, Sustaining and Justice Pac member of the Michigan Association for Justice, Business Associate of the Florida, Tennessee, and Colorado Associations for Justice, a member of the American Bar Association as well as their ABA Advisory Committee, the State Bar of Michigan and the Injury Board.