Distracted driving can be dangerous whether you’re on a busy Georgia highway or a rural road in your hometown. However, research from the University of Missouri has found that individuals who engage in distracted driving while in a work zone are 29 times more likely to be in a collision.
The study looked at work zone crashes from a different perspective
Traditionally, work zone crash research involved looking for information that could be gleaned from police reports, but information listed on a police report can’t provide more insight into what happened before a person entered a work zone. The research team from the University of Missouri was able to use data from the Naturalistic Driving Study to get a better understanding of how drivers contributed to accidents in these environments.
Policy changes might reduce the crash rate
There are a variety of actions that policymakers and drivers themselves might take to minimize the risk of a collision in a work zone. For instance, it may be a good idea to consider bans on texting or otherwise using a phone while driving. It may also be worthwhile to implement more education that discourages drivers from eating, drinking or talking to passengers while a car is in motion.
Increasing driver awareness could also be a worthwhile endeavor
Public education campaigns could help make drivers aware of the dangers of distracted driving. Such a campaign might point out that a car can drive the length of a football field in just five seconds while traveling at 55 miles per hour. That is roughly the amount of time it takes to glance down at a phone and read or send a text.
If you have been involved in an accident, get in touch with personal injury attorney Steven Morgan. He takes the time to get to you personally and will be the person who takes care of your legal needs. You can learn more about his firm by calling 912-289-0640.
