Texting behind the wheel is one of the most dangerous things a driver can do. It means that driver is not watching the road and isn’t aware of potential changes in traffic patterns ahead of them. Even if things seemed safe when they looked down and they’re driving with the flow of traffic, a lot can change quickly. Motorists could reach a backup near a construction zone, someone could hit their brakes ahead of them or a traffic light could turn red. Those are just a few of the issues.
Thinking that things won’t change that quickly? That’s the justification a lot of drivers use. If the road looks safe ahead, they think they can just text for a second and it will not really put anyone in danger.
The truth, though, is that you could drive the distance of a football field before you look at the road again. That’s what happens when you spend five seconds looking at your phone, which is generally how long most texting drivers spend.
In that light, it becomes clear that plenty can change while the driver focuses on their phone and not the road. By the time they look up again, they may be shocked to find that they have drifted into the oncoming lanes or that they’re about to slam into the back of a car that stopped in front of them. However, by then, it may be far too late to avoid a crash.
If you get hit by a texting driver, you need to know how to seek compensation for medical bills and other costs.
