Resolve to Not Text and Drive in 2017

The majority of car accidents and injuries are a result of errors or reckless behavior on the part of one or more drivers involved. There is increasing public awareness of the danger of distracted driving. But distracted drivers continue to cause serious preventable accidents in Kentucky and across the nation. A new year brings new opportunities. We urge you to make a commitment to protect yourself and your passengers by resolving not to text and drive in 2017.

Resolve to Be a Safer Driver

If you resolve not to text and drive in 2017, you may save your own life and the lives of others.

According to  the Kentucky State Police, more than 135,000 car crashes and collisions were reported throughout the state in 2015, resulting in more than 36,000 injuries and over 700 deaths. The accident statistics indicate that men were more than twice as likely as women to be the victims in these accidents. Nearly 20 percent of all traffic fatalities involved drivers under the age of 24.

Drivers of all ages can decrease their risk of injuring themselves or other motorists by paying attention to some simple traffic safety rules. Resolve to be a safer driver in 2017 by doing the following:

• Obey all posted speed limits. Speeding and driving too fast for conditions are responsible for roughly 20 percent of all motor vehicle accidents in Kentucky. Slowing down gives drivers more time to react and avoid accidents.
• If you have been drinking, do not drive. All drunk driving accidents are preventable. Alcohol is a contributing factor in more than 15 percent of all accidents in Kentucky. You can prevent a drunk driving accident by not driving if you have consumed alcohol.
• Keep your temper in check. Aggressive driving behaviors such as following too closely and failing to yield are responsible for as much as 13 percent of all traffic collisions. Resolve to remain calm even when those around you are speeding and driving dangerously.
• Remain alert. Avoid driving if you are drowsy or haven’t had adequate sleep. Drowsy drivers have slowed reaction times. Nodding off behind the wheel for even a second can lead to a serious accident.
• Keep your vehicle well maintained. Checking your brakes, making sure the tires are properly inflated, and making sure all lights are working can reduce your risk of an accident.

While all of the above can help to keep you safe when on the road, one of the most important actions you can take is to put away distractions such as cell phones.

No Texting While Driving Resolution for 2017

For the safety of yourself, your passengers, and other drivers, make no texting while driving one of your New Year’s resolutions for 2017. To help you resist the temptation, Becker Law Office is proud to sponsor the Drive2Win app. Available as a free download through the Apple store and through Google Play, the app uses the latest technology to offer incentives to drivers for playing it safe behind the wheel. As featured in a Louisville Business First report, Drive2Win features include:

• A personalized profile and easy login through your Facebook account or email;
• Screen lock features that allow you to disable calls and texts while driving;
• A point system based on the amount of time spent driving with the app in use;
• Fun prizes, such as gift cards and movie tickets, based on the amount of points you earn;
• Friendly competition between users over who can accumulate the most points;
• Emergency call and map access to bypass the system when needed.

In addition to incentive points for having the app’s safety features in use while driving, you can earn points simply for logging in or by answering trivia questions and scanning QR bar codes. Sharing on social media provides an additional way for users to win prizes, while helping to raise awareness of the dangers of distracted driving among your friends and followers.

Currently available only in Kentucky, Drive2Win is catching on quickly. Download the app today and follow Drive2Win on Facebook to help support your no texting while driving resolution for 2017.

Why Texting and Driving Is Particularly Dangerous

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that more than 1,000 people are injured each day throughout the U.S. as the result of distracted driving behaviors such as using cellphones behind the wheel, texting, or adjusting a navigation system. While there are a variety of activities that can divert a driver’s attention long enough to cause an accident, the CDC classifies driver distractions into three main categories:

• Visual distractions, which involve looking at other objects or passengers while driving;
• Manual distractions, which involve engaging in activities that require you to remove your hands from the steering wheel;
• Cognitive distractions, which involve focusing on other objects or activities rather than the road in front of you.

Texting while driving is particularly dangerous because it involves all three types of distractions.

Contact Our Kentucky Car Accident Attorneys for Assistance

Protecting Kentucky drivers is one of our top priorities. If you or someone you care about has been injured as the result of another driver’s reckless behavior, contact the Becker Law Office today. Our experienced car accident attorneys provide the legal representation you need to hold responsible parties accountable, while assisting you in getting the compensation you need to recover. We serve Lexington, Louisville, and Florence, Kentucky. Call or contact our office online today for a free consultation.