Distracted driving is largely an issue of willpower. People do know that it is risky and dangerous. They know that it leads to accidents. They may even know people who have been seriously injured or killed. But they still look at the phone when it chirps and a new notification shows up on the screen. Why can’t they resist it?
Surveys have exposed just how deep this problem runs. Most people do actively acknowledge the dangers. They honestly think they are more likely to get into an accident, and they know that a smartphone is hugely distracting in general. At the same time, they admit to texting and driving, going on social media, browsing the internet, responding to emails, taking pictures and many other things.
When they were then asked why they did it, some of the reasons they gave were:
- They needed to keep in touch with friends, co-workers and family members.
- They wanted to be more efficient and productive, and using the phone while driving gave them a way to do it.
- They were looking for important information online, and they had to do it in the car.
- They were simply in the habit of using their phone all the time, and that was hard to break.
- They saw something that they wanted to share, and they felt like doing it immediately.
Overall, it is clear that none of these reasons can actually justify a crash, and most people probably know that. It does not change their behavior. If you get hit by a distracted driver, make sure you know your legal options to seek out financial compensation.