Even if the population is expanded to all adults, including adults who do not text, the numbers of adult drivers who text while driving are still eye-poppingly large – 27% of all adults report that they sent or received texts while driving.
Perhaps the numbers are not so surprising. While adults often mouth the right words, our examples frequently fail to measure up. Seatbelt use, speeding, distracted driving: all fall into the category of “Do what I say, not what I do.”
The problem, of course, is that drivers can get away with such conduct, at least at first. Just like the driver who slows but does not stop for a STOP sign, the practice doesn’t guarantee tragedy. On the contrary, people who engage in risky activity usually get away with it, for a while. Thus, the short term consequences of such risky driving behavior all fall into the incentive column (convenience, satisfaction of impulse). But try it often enough and eventually the risk catches up to you. Eventually there will be an accident that you could have avoided if only you’d been paying attention.
Some of the people in those accidents will be lucky. They won’t get hurt and they won’t hurt anyone else. But not everyone will be lucky. Some people who text while driving will kill or maim themselves or others.
At Purchase, George & Murphey, P.C., we’ve seen the consequences of texting while driving. It’s not worth it.
If you’ve been injured in a car accident that you suspect involves a driver who was distracted, the Erie car accident lawyers at Purchase, George & Murphey, P.C. can help. Call today for a free consultation, 814-273-2010.