Distracted driving increases in the summer

According to research conducted by TrueMotion, drivers tend to be more distracted in the months of June, July and August. They reportedly spend 15 minutes per every hour driving looking at their phones, which is a 10 percent increase over the rest of the year. This conclusion was reached by looking at data from 20,000 drivers between January 2017 and May 2018. Distracted driving may occur on Illinois roads at higher rates during the summer because more people are driving.

The summer months provide an increased opportunity for individuals to go on road trips or extended vacations. According to the National Highway Safety Traffic Administration, there are 20 percent more miles driven during the summer months compared to winter months. There are also 29 percent more roadway deaths during the summer. In addition to increased vehicle traffic, drivers should also be aware of the increased pedestrian traffic in June, July and August.

Drivers are urged to not put their heads down for even a few seconds as that could disorient them. That may put them at a higher risk for colliding with another vehicle or pedestrian. A representative from the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute said that he hoped distracted driving would become as frowned upon as drunk driving or driving without wearing a seat belt.

Those who experience a car accident injury could find that their lives are altered for months or years. It may be difficult to go back to work or engage in activities that a victim enjoyed prior to the accident. If it can be shown that negligence played a role in the crash, an individual may be entitled to compensation to pay for medical bills incurred in the crash as well as lost wages and lost future earnings.