Texting While Driving – A Dangerous Activity Plaguing Ventura Streets and Roads

Everyone knows by now that texting while driving is just a bad idea, right? While the answer should be a resounding “yes,” there are still a number of drivers out there on Ventura roads that pull out their phones to text while driving. Indeed, despite safety campaigns, television commercials, and the entire month of April being dedicated to distracted driving, distracted driving car accidents – including those involving a cell phone – still happen far too often in Ventura. But why is texting and driving so dangerous? To help Ventura drivers better understand the hazards of using a cell phone while driving, we explain how cell phone usage while driving is not safe, with a real-world example, here.

Texting While Driving – How the Brain is Impacted

One of the first things that Ventura drivers should know about using a cell phone while driving – and particularly, texting – is about how the brain works while doing demanding tasks, such as driving. As the National Safety Council (NSC) explains, “When driving in demanding environments such as highway traffic, urban streets or extreme weather, the brain constantly processes huge amounts of information related to the primary task of driving. The brain’s information-processing steps align with the acronym SPIDER: scanning, predicting, identifying, decision-making and executing a response.” However, according to the NSC, “Any distraction can stop this linear process. When drivers engage in a secondary task such as using a cell phone, the SPIDER process is interrupted and the ability to drive safely can be severely impacted. One study showed that because certain types of secondary tasks require a higher cognitive workload, including using voice command systems, drivers executing high cognitive-workload secondary tasks decrease how much they scan the environment for hazards.” Indeed, cell phone use while driving is a distraction that can disrupt a driver’s ability to drive, significantly enhancing the potential for accidents.

A Real-World Example of the Consequences of Texting While Driving

One mother who lost her daughter due to texting while driving, shares her story as a wake-up call to all drivers on the road. Michelle’s story about her daughter, Camryn, is as horrific as it is sad. As explained by the NSC, “Camryn was killed on the way home from work in February 2018. She was texting a friend while driving and crashed into the back of a semi-trailer truck. She died less than a month from her 18th birthday and three months before her high school graduation.” There is no question that texting while driving has affected individuals of various ages in multiple ways.

If you are in the Ventura area and you need legal help after you have been seriously injured by another driver, do not hesitate to learn about your rights and options under California personal injury laws today. The experienced Ventura car accident lawyers at Zavala Law, PC are here to help Ventura families get justice against negligent drivers. Contact Zavala Law, PC today and speak to a lawyer about your case now.

Source:

cmscdn.nsc.org/cms/nsc.org/media/site-media/docs/safe-driving/reports/understanding-driver-distraction.pdf