As a psychologist specializing in treating victims of auto crashes, many of my patients face life long disabilities and pain due to injuries resulting from crashes that resulted from the actions of distracted drivers. It is likely no surprise that the cell phone is the number one problem when it comes to motor vehicle trauma caused by distracted drivers.
Neal E. Boudette, the Wall Street Journal’s Detroit Bureau Chief in a November 15, 2016, article in the New York Times, quoted Deborah Hersman, president of the National Safety Board as saying that the auto industries focus on creating hands free technology instead of reducing distracted driving may in fact encourage even more phone use when driving. Boudette in a February 15, 2017, New York Times follow-up noted that the National Safety Council estimates 40,200 people died in 2016 motor vehicle crashes, which is a 6 percent increase from 2015. While clearly cell phone distraction is not the only factor. Other forms of distraction such as talking with passengers along with drinking, speeding, seatbelt issues and increased road use are identified factors.
Read the rest of the article published at Psychology Today.
