Distracted driving has become one of the most deadly causes of car accidents across the United States, including the Denver area. But, what is distracted driving?
Distracted driving is driving a motor vehicle while engaged in another activity that could distract the driver from his or her primary task of driving the motor vehicle. Anything that can take the driver's eyes off the road or have him or her mentally distracted from focusing on driving is distracted driving. A distracted driver is very dangerous to himself and others.
In the past, distracted driving usually meant tasks such as putting makeup on, eating, or talking to children in the back seat; and these activities can still lead to a driving violation.
The increase of popularity in texting, web surfing and similar activities while driving has resulted in many states having specific legislation geared towards talking on cell phones and texting. Some states ban talking on cell phones and states such as Colorado ban texting while driving. These laws exist to protect drivers from injuring themselves and other people on the road.
If an accident occurs because of distracted driving, the driver can be charged with negligence or recklessness. These charges can lead to large monetary liabilities. Cell phone records can show if a driver was texting or calling at the time of an accident.
Distracted driving can come in many ways including scolding a child, reaching for something on the floor, and talking or texting on a cell phone. These activities can easily cause a car accident that results in a serious injury or even death. Drivers can be held liable for their negligence.
Source: findlaw.com, "Distracted Driving", retrieved Aug. 4, 2014
