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Do We Need A “New” Version of MADD?

During recent times, our attorneys have become greatly aware of the tremendous amount of people using their mobile phones while driving. In fact, one of our attorneys decided to start counting the number of drivers using their mobile phones while stopped at an intersection. The results; an average of one in ten drivers that drove by fell into the category of distracted driving.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, our numbers were not that far off. In fact, the NHTSA reported that 11 percent of drivers at any given time are using a mobile phone, while the National Safety Council estimates at least 28 percent of accidents, 1.6 million accidents, involved drivers talking or texting on the phone.

Comparatively speaking, the Centers for Disease Control provided information about driving under the influence. The statistics show that DUI deaths for 2010 were 11,000 people, which are decreasing each year. While mobile phone use is increasing each year and an estimated 16,000 people between 2001 and 2007 have been killed, according to the American Journal of Public Health. Texting and driving is now up by 50 percent, while one half of all high school students’ text or email while driving.

Getting to the point; automobile accidents remain the leading cause of death for teenagers across America. According to the Institute for Highway Safety, there are 11 teenage deaths each day caused by distracted driving, and mobile phone use is the primary cause of death. While it doesn’t stop in high school, the International Journal of Sustainable Strategic Management found that four of five college students texted while driving.

As many organizations relate mobile phone use to drunk driving, why do so many continue to perform such dangerous activities? If these texting while driving statistics are so heavily competing with drunk driving, then why are parents allowing their children to continue to use their phone while driving? Would you allow your teens to drunk drive? Our guess is no.

At Simien & Simien it is our recommendation that there should be a new and revised program geared towards both Mothers Against Drunk Driving and Mothers Against Distracted Driving, both of which have the same initials MADD. This could involve a pledge to avoid engaging in drunk driving and distracted driving.

Have you or a loved one been involved in a texting while driving accident? If so, that victim may be eligible to file a damages lawsuit, claiming for financial compensation.

At the law offices of Simien & Simien, our distracted driving accident lawyer has thorough knowledge of Louisiana’s traffic laws and can help fight for your maximum compensation amount.

For more information, call (800) 374-8422 to speak to our Baton Rouge injury lawyers or complete the Free Case Evaluation form on this page.