Distracted Driving Causes Rise in Fatal Illinois Car Crashes
Approximately 80 percent of all car crashes across the United States are at least in part caused by distracted driving.

November 18, 2011 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Distracted Driving Causes Rise in Fatal Illinois Car Crashes

Distracted driving has become epidemic on American roads. A Virginia Tech study recently found that distracted driving now causes approximately 80 percent of all car crashes across the United States. In 2009, the last full year of statistics, almost 5,500 people were killed and nearly 450,000 injured in distracted driving auto crashes.

One of the most dangerous distracted driving activities is texting while driving. It is illegal in Illinois (and in more than 30 states) for any driver to text, use email or surf the internet while driving However, distracted driving is not limited to texting. Other causes of accidents include:
-Talking on the phone, even if the cell is hands-free
-Eating
-Drinking
-Applying makeup or other personal grooming
-Changing the settings in the car, such as air conditioning or the radio


Illinois is trying to deal with this growing problem. At present, drivers under age 19 are not permitted to use a cell phone at anytime, including hands-free devices. In school and construction zones, all drivers are banned from any cell phone use regardless of age.

In addition, the Illinois Secretary of State has re-established an advisory council to combat distracted driving and educate the public of its dangers. The council's preliminary data found that cell phones were a cause in more than 1,000 auto accidents in Illinois in 2010.

Illinois officials say the problem is not restricted to young people. Data by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration shows that while those under 20 are the most likely to drive distracted, the greatest portion of fatal car crashes involving distracted driving occurs in the 30 to 39 age group.

As fatalities have risen, law enforcement officials have become more aware of the problem. Offenders are easily recognizable by police as distracted drivers tend to be erratic drivers and are easily spotted as they drive more slowly, weave and lurch.

If you or someone you know has suffered injury or death from an accident caused by a distracted driver, contact an experienced personal injury attorney. You may be entitled to financial compensation for lost wages, disability, wrongful death and other costs.

Press Release Contact Information:

FL Web Advantage