Deadly or Safe? Find out Where California Lands When It Comes to Distracted Driving

Michael Waks

2 years ago

Operating a vehicle in traffic demands considerable focus. Because conditions can change in an instant, motorists must always keep their eyes on the road, their hands on the wheel, and their attention on the cars around them. When they fail to do so, a devastating distracted driving collision is all but inevitable.

Sadly, the risks associated with diverting attention from the road are not enough to stop millions of people from getting complacent every year. In fact, during more than 1 out of 3 trips that occur in this country, the motorist falls victim to some kind of distraction.

While drivers in every state let their attention stray from the road, some areas of America see more distracted driving-related crashes than others. If you’re wondering where California falls, we’ve got the answer.

After analyzing statistics from across the country, MoneyGeek ranked all 50 states according to how deadly or safe their roads are. They focused primarily on the number of traffic fatalities attributed to distracted driving in 2019 and 2020.

Thankfully, California landed on the safer side. Among the states with the fewest distracted driving deaths, it ranked 6^th, behind just Rhode Island, Mississippi, D.C., Nevada, and Connecticut.

It’s challenging to extrapolate precisely why these states have the lowest number of fatalities. When it comes to California, specifically, however, the statistics may have something to do with the state’s strict texting and driving laws.

In the Golden State, motorists are prohibited from holding a mobile device in their hands. If they want to interact with their smartphone in any manner, they must do so via voice command. What’s more, those under 18 are prohibited from using a cell phone while behind the wheel at all, even in handsfree mode.

To remind the public of the dangers of distracted driving, the California Office of Traffic Safety started several widespread campaigns, including “Put Your Phone Down. Just Drive” and “Silence the Distraction.” These campaigns primarily target motorists between the ages of 16 and 24 because inexperienced drivers are the ones most at risk after falling victim to distraction.

Call (562) 206-1939 to Discuss Your Case with a Long Beach Distracted Driving Accident Attorney

Your Injuries Are Personal to Me

At the Law Office of Michael D. Waks, we know how devastating distracted driving-related accidents can be. If you were struck by someone who was not paying attention to the traffic around them, you deserve justice, and we can help you seek it. Call (562) 206-1939 or complete the Contact Form on our website to schedule a free initial consultation with a distracted driving accident lawyer in Long Beach.

Download Our Car Accident Emergency Response .PDF

At the end of the day, there’s no foolproof way to avoid distracted drivers. Every time you’re in traffic, there’s a chance you might come across a motorist who’s not paying attention. To ensure you’re prepared for all eventualities in the event that you do, keep a copy of our Car Accident Emergency Response .pdf in the glove box of each of your vehicles. This document contains a handy checklist that will help you record the scene if you ever find yourself in another wreck. Download it HERE for free.

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Michael Waks

Michael Waks is an aggressive advocate for people who have suffered because of someone else’s actions. Michael decided to become a personal injury lawyer when, while clerking at a legal defense firm during law school, he witnessed and was infuriated by asbestos manufacturers spending millions to avoid taking responsibility for the egregious injuries they caused. Immediately after passing the bar, Michael opened his own firm in Long Beach, CA to help the victims of personal injury accidents get every benefit owed them under the law.