Calling All Self-Proclaimed Multitaskers!

Do you pride yourself on your ability to multitask? Maybe you can finish up notes from another project while listening in on a work meeting, jog while holding a conversation, cook three different parts of a dish while also running the laundry and supervising your toddler’s play session… At that point, you might let some bad behaviors slip in the name of being a skilled multitasker.

If there’s any environment more tempting to try our hand at extreme-multitasking, it’s while we’re driving. We all know the importance of driving safely, but that doesn’t stop even the most careful of drivers from occasionally straying from their own rules. Sometimes we need a compassionate wake-up call. Consider these eight alarming facts about texting and driving the next time you’re behind the wheel:

1. Writing up a text message takes, on average, about five seconds of your time.
2. As soon as you take your eyes off the road, it can take between five and 20 seconds to bring yourself back to full attention on the road.
3. During those seemingly brief five seconds, even just going a moderate 55 mph, you could cover the length of a football field.
4. Many people feel abnormally skilled at texting and driving due to their perceived instances of being able to do so ‘safely,’ but this is a form of blind confidence.
5. Texting can put the driver and their passengers at 23 times the risk of getting into an accident.
6. Even utilizing talk-to-text can contribute to this increased danger – it may seem safer, but your eyes are still taken off the road to navigate and press buttons to ‘speak’ to your phone.
7. Nearly 20% of drivers from all age groups admit to browsing the internet while driving – from searching for the address or phone number of their destination to checking up on their social media notifications.
8. There’s an increase in social pressure to respond quickly to a text, typically within 5 minutes or less, which is greatly contributing to the 50% increase in texts sent while driving since 2009.

Texting and driving simply doesn’t work. So what does work? Turn your phone’s volume off, put it on airplane or ‘do not disturb’ mode, and make a promise to yourself and your loved ones that you will wait until you’re safely stopped before using your phone again.

If you or someone you love has been involved in a car accident, you need an attorney that is strong, successful, and trusted. Tiemann Law Firm, Sacramento Personal Injury Lawyers are here to help. Contact us today at (916) 999-9000 to schedule your free consultation.