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CHICAGO, IL, April 27, 2012 /24-7PressRelease/ -- We've all heard that distracted driving is dangerous. You may even know that April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month. What you probably don't realize is that anyone attempting to drive distraction-free is combating the very essence of modern technology.
Phone calls, text messages, GPS devices and even the sophisticated instrument panel on your dashboard are designed to alert you to information. Because of this, it takes a tremendous amount of discipline to drive from A to B without answering a call or viewing a text.
The information could be critical: an urgent email from work or an emergency call from your child's school. Or it could be less important: perhaps a picture message of a cat dressed up like Abraham Lincoln, an emailed joke or even an inspirational message of some kind. The modern motorist who wishes to drive safely must decide, "It can wait," which is far easier said than done. A concrete illustration of this conundrum was recently featured in the Daily Herald.
John Lee is a professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison who combats the growing distracted driving epidemic. He co-edited the piece "Driver Distraction: Theory, Effect and Mitigation," and was recently paneled at the National Transportation Safety Board's (NTSB) distracted driving forum in Washington, D.C. You might imagine his surprise when he recently took his eyes off the road to turn off a song he disliked. The distraction diverted his attention for five seconds, far longer than was needed to cause a fatal distracted driving accident.
Lee explained the phenomenon well, "I was seduced in the moment by technology."
Lee's scenario shows just how easy it is for someone -- anyone -- to become distracted while behind the wheel. This battle of wills is a constant struggle against our modern instincts. That is why the NTSB and other government agencies are pushing for legal restrictions on the nature and extent of technology that auto manufacturers can install in cars. Modern gadgets are designed to get our attention and grab hold, but the NTSB doesn't want this battle occurring inside automobiles.
Technology is designed to grab our attention, but a driver cannot use a cellphone as a defense for speeding, drifting in and out of traffic lanes or causing a crash. More importantly, Illinois law holds motorists accountable for any harm resulting from their negligence -- distracted driving included.
When a distracted driver seriously injures or kills someone, the criminal justice system will likely punish the wrongdoer; however, this doesn't compensate the victim. A personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit allows the victim or surviving family to recover money damages to compensate for the injuries, pain and the often life-changing consequences of a distracted driving accident.
If you or a loved one has been seriously harmed, it's best to contact an experienced Chicago personal injury lawyer to protect your legal rights and explore all available options.
The partners at the law firm of Lane & Lane, LLC are highly respected throughout the Illinois legal community. We have more than 130 years of combined legal experience. Our members have held leadership roles in the most prestigious legal organizations at the local, state and national level.
The Law Offices Of Lane & Lane, LLC
230 W Monroe Street, Suite 1900
Chicago, Il 60606
Phone: 312-957-4656
Toll Free: 877-585-7311
Website: www.lane-lane.com
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