What’s More Dangerous? Impaired Driving or Texting Behind the Wheel?

April 14, 2022, Kitchener, Ontario

Posted by: Robert Deutschmann, Personal Injury Lawyer

Most peoples’ first inclination would be to say that impaired driving is far more dangerous than texting behind the wheel. Most people are wrong!

Did you know that according to the most recent studies and the NHTSA in America, texting is six times more dangerous than driving impaired? Thousands of accidents are year are caused by distracted driving and texting is considered a distraction. CAA studies have found that while you are texting you may travel a football field length of the highway in the time it takes to glance at your phone. That alone increases your chance of crashing by almost 25%.

The CAA also reports that deaths caused by distracted driving crashes have also surpassed those caused by impaired driving in parts of Canada.

Why is this?

Studies show that there are similarities between being impaired and texting behind the wheel. Both cause driver distraction and lack of attention. When you are impaired, you lose focus and the same is true while texting. This can result in following too closely, driving too fast or slowly, weaving in the lane and hitting adjacent or oncoming traffic, or not braking in time because you aren’t watching the cars ahead of you.

The Texas Transportation Institute found that reaction times while texting are slowed as well. In fact, they decrease by 37 % while texting and 27 % while making a hands-free call. Texting drivers are also far more likely to miss flashing warning lights as well.

Impaired driver reaction times are only decreased by 13%.

Teenagers are particularly likely to be using their phone while driving. The CAA reports it is a leading cause of accidents, crashes and deaths for teens who are busy texting and posting behind the wheel. Distracted driving laws are in place in all provinces and many focus on novice (teen drivers).

What are the Penalties if You Are caught?

Penalties for Distracted driving:

• 6 demerit points
• Fines up to $2000 and/or 6 months of jail
• Driver Licence suspension for up to 2 years
• Increases in auto insurance rates
   

What Can You do to Stay Safe?

Are you tempted to use your phone when you are driving? Here are some tips to help you keep your attention on the road:

• Turn your phone off
• Use your ‘Do Not Disturb” feature to automatically mute your phone while it’s in the car
• Just say ‘NO’ when temptation strikes. There isn’t anything so important that it can’t wait.
• If you MUST use your phone, then pull over safely or stop at a rest area.
   

If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in a car accident by a distracted driver contact our experienced personal injury lawyers today for a free consultation.

About Deutschmann Law

Deutschmann Law serves South-Western Ontario with offices in Kitchener-Waterloo, Cambridge, Woodstock, Brantford, Stratford and Ayr. The law practice of Robert Deutschmann focuses almost exclusively in personal injury and disability insurance matters. For more information, please visit www.deutschmannlaw.com or call us at 1-519-742-7774.

It is important that you review your accident benefit file with one of our experienced personal injury / car accident lawyers to ensure that you obtain access to all your benefits which include, but are limited to, things like physiotherapy, income replacement benefits, vocational retraining and home modifications.