Last year, traffic accident fatalities hit a record low since 1949, dropping to just over 32,000 deaths.  However, distracted driving has evolved into a major factor in traffic accident fatalities.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there were a total of 32,885 highway accident fatalities recorded in the country last year.  That was a rate of 1. 10 fatalities per 100 million vehicle miles traveled, a decline from 1.15 fatalities the previous year.  However, the agency also recorded an increase in pedestrian and motorcycle accident accidents.

Another fact that really stands out from the data however is that for the first time, the agency has tabulated the number of accident fatalities directly linked to distractions behind the wheel.  In 2010, there were 3,092 distracted driving-related deaths.  It’s not possible for a Houston car accident lawyer to compare distracted driving-related death numbers in 2010 with those from previous years, because 2010, the agency used a new measure to calculate the number of such fatalities.

However, the impact of distracted driving is also indicated in another survey by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration which found that at any given point in time, about 1% of all motorists were using hand-held cell phones or other devices while driving.  Further, additional surveys conducted by the agency found that close to 50% of all drivers between the age of 21 and 24 admitted to using hand-held cell phones while driving.

Vuk Vujasinovic is a Board Certified Houston personal injury attorney who practices Houston auto accident and other personal injury cases.

For more info on how Vuk can help you with your potential case please call him at (877) 724-7800 or fill out the contact form on the right.

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