How Often Do Distracted Driving Accidents Go Unreported

While most of us know that distracted driving has become a major problem in Tampa, many people don’t realize just how serious the problem really is.

With smartphones and other mobile devices becoming more popular than ever, the National Safety Council reports that about nine percent of all drivers are using a phone behind the wheel at any given daylight hour.

National Safety Council Study of Underreported Distracted Driving Fatalities

Part of the problem is that distracted driving often goes unreported. When it comes to car crash fatalities, for example, the fact that a driver was using a mobile device at the time of the accident only gets reported about half of the time, according to a study by the National Safety Council.

In a study partially funded by Nationwide, the NSC reviewed 180 traffic fatalities that took place between 2009 and 2011. Although there was evidence that a driver was using a mobile device in every accident included in the study, only 52% of the fatalities were properly reported to have involved a distracted driver

Why Does Distracted Driving Go Unreported?

Safety experts like those of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration rely upon data reported by law enforcement officials to determine just how many car accidents are caused by

distracted driving. However, the police largely rely upon witnesses, passengers and other drivers to tell them whether or not a driver was using a mobile device at the time of an accident, and they are generally only able to obtain cellphone records with a subpoena.

A 2009 study conducted by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute highlights just how dangerous being distracted by a mobile device can be when you are behind the wheel. According to their distracted driving statistics, drivers who are talking or listening on a phone are 1.3 times more likely to face the risk of a crash than other drivers. When they are text messaging, distracted drivers are 23.2 times more likely to be at risk of an accident.

Have you been injured by a distracted driving? Call the injury law team of Abrahamson & Uiterwyk today at 1-800-538-4878.

According to Distraction.gov, a vehicle traveling at 55 mph can travel the length of a football field in the amount of time that it takes to send or receive a text behind the wheel. If you’ve been hurt in an accident caused by a distracted driver, call Abrahamson & Uiterwyk today at 1-800-538-4878 for a free consultation.