Distracted Driving Fatalities on the Rise in New Hampshire

This year has seen a significant rise in fatal car accidents in comparison to the year before. In Manchester alone, there have been five fatal accidents from January to July.

Law enforcement is doing all they can to prevent distracted driving accidents. In 2017, they issued 2,200 warnings and 1,650 tickets for distracted drivers all across New Hampshire. However, despite their efforts, many distracted drivers continue to go under the radar.

How prevalent is distracted driving in New Hampshire?

Based on the trends of this year as well as first-hand experience, we are confident that the data will show distracted driving as a leading cause of accidents in New Hampshire, along with speeding and impaired driving.

Texting and phone use while driving have earned headlines, and deservedly so, but distracted driving isn’t just about smartphones. Distracted driving can also mean actions such as changing the radio station, looking at a GPS, eating while driving, or other behavior that can take a driver's attention away from the road. Technically, when it comes to driving, a distraction is anything that takes a driver's eyes off the road for more than 1 second. Under that definition, there are far more distracted drivers on our roads every day than we realize.

Many distracted drivers may not recognize the risk. They have been using handheld devices while driving for years without any problem. But it only takes one second of distraction to cause a crash that results in a severe, or life-threatening injury.

What to do if you've been injured by a distracted driver

The dedicated lawyers at the law offices of Burns, Bryant, Cox, Rockefeller and Durkin know how busy our lives can get, but that's no excuse for distracted driving. Drivers who choose to text, talk on the phone or send an email while driving have a choice. They could choose to pull over, send the message and then take a moment to focus before getting back on the road. Instead, they put themselves and others at risk.

If you or a loved one have been injured in an accident involving a distracted driver, don’t wait. Contact us today. The first few days after an accident can make all the difference. When the worst happens, we can help.