Ways to Avoid Texting While Driving

Texting and driving has become a major cause of driving accidents and fatalities on roads today.

As a result, 47 states have texting and driving bans. Statistics in 2017 showed that use of a cell phone caused approximately 1.5 million car crashes in the United States, and 14% of fatal crashes involved cell phone use. (Statistics from The Zebra)

Are Teens the Worst Texting and Driving Offenders?

According to arrivealivetour.com, teenage drivers using their cell phones were four times more at risk for car accidents than other drivers. Also, the group of drivers that had the highest cell phone use while driving were drivers between the ages of 16 and 24.

Tips to Avoid Texting and Driving

Cell phone texting is so prevalent today that many adults as well as teens have a hard time avoiding their cell phones while on the road.

It is one thing to realize you should not text and drive, and quite another to have the discipline not to do it. The following tips could help you avoid texting and driving:

• Set your phone to send a "do not disturb" text message to anyone who texts you while driving. Many phones have this setting. For example, the iPhone will send a message to the sender notifying them that you will check messages when you arrive at your destination. If the text is “urgent,” there is also the option to send the message anyway.
• You can turn your phone off while driving or turn the volume and vibration off.
• If you feel it is urgent to send a message or answer your phone, you can pull off the road.
• There are also a number of phone apps that prevent texting while driving, such as LifeSaver, SafeDrvie, DriveMode, CellControl and TextLimit.

Sackstein Sackstein & Lee, LLP has extensive experience handling car accident cases that involve texting or cell phone use. Our attorneys can often hold responsible parties accountable when serious damage or harm occurs. We offer a free consultation to discuss your accident and explain the prospects of pursuing a case.