Hazards of Texting While Driving in Bad Weather

snowy highway traffic

Mann Wyatt Tanksley Injury Attorneys has seen how texting while driving has caused devastating accidents for motorists across the country. When combined with inclement weather, however, the results of texting behind the wheel is even more dangerous.

Texting while driving in inclement weather can result in more auto accident injuries and fatalities.

“Texting while driving takes your eyes off the road longer than any other distracted driving offense,” auto accident attorney Scott Mann explains. “It involves reading, writing and reacting to a message, which takes at least 5 seconds. If you are driving 55 mph, this means you are not looking at the road for 100 yards.”

In a study published by the National Occupant Protection Use Survey, there are 660,000 drivers in the U.S. at any given time who are using an electronic device. Texting while driving has also become the leading cause of death for teenaged drivers. In 2013, texting while driving caused 3,000 teen deaths and 300,000 injuries (Cohen Children’s Medical Center).

Texting while driving is actually a problem for drivers of all ages,” Scott explains, “Motorists who text while they drive are just as dangerous, if not more dangerous, than motorists who are driving while intoxicated. When this is combined with inclement weather, the results are even more tragic.”

When snow, ice, rain, or sleet covers the road, the reaction time for drivers decreases significantly. Changing lanes, stopping and turning safely all become a potentially dangerous maneuver. It requires the full attention of a driver to safely navigate these conditions. Because their eyes aren’t on the road, the reaction time of texting motorists is even shorter. They stop at the last minute, causing their vehicle to spin wildly out of control with terrible results.

Contact our auto accident attorneys if you have been injured by a texting driver. Mann Wyatt Tanksley Injury Attorneys is dedicated to the recovery of every client. Our personal injury attorneys are ready to serve your case!