When you get behind the wheel, you are obligated to do everything in your power to drive safely and responsibly. One of the best ways to do this is to avoid distracted driving since this is a significant contributor to auto accidents in the state of Washington. Even some of the best drivers can fall victim to distractions while driving, which is why it can be helpful to break down the types of distractions you should avoid.
At NBF Accident Law, our auto accident attorneys in Washington can assist you if you have been involved in an auto accident and need to file a claim. Our attorneys will work tirelessly on your behalf, advocating for you so that you get the compensation you need to make a full recovery.
Dangers of Distracted Driving in Washington
Preventing distracted driving needs to be the top priority of everybody who gets behind the wheel of a vehicle. Not only is it dangerous for you if you are distracted, it is dangerous for everybody else on the road as well as pedestrians and bicyclists.
A survey done by the Washington Traffic Safety Commission found that distracted driving had increased statewide since 2021, putting it at 9.3%. Because of this, law enforcement has put a stronger focus on preventing distracted driving by pulling drivers over and issuing tickets.
Distracted driving can contribute to some very significant auto accidents as anything that takes your focus off of the road can become incredibly dangerous. A lack of focus can result in minor accidents such as rear end collisions and sideswipe accidents but it can also result in much more extensive accidents, such as head on collisions.
If you are distracted by something while driving, not only is your attention focused elsewhere, but your reaction time will also be reduced. Not only does this make it harder to react to other distracted or reckless drivers on the road, it can make it difficult to drive safely in poor road conditions.
Washington’s Hands-Free Law
Washington has established a hands-free driving law meant to help prevent distracted driving. This law means that talking or sending text messages while holding a wireless device as you are driving can come with a $124 fine. If you must talk on the phone or send text messages, it has to be done through a hands-free device. Otherwise, the police have every right to pull you over and ticket you if they see that you are holding a wireless device while behind the wheel.
Drivers with instruction permits or intermediate licenses are also prohibited to use any wireless devices at all while driving unless it is an emergency.
How to Avoid Distracted Driving
No matter how conscientious you are when you get behind the wheel, it can still be challenging to avoid all distractions when you are driving. However, it is the responsibility of every driver in Washington to do everything they can to eliminate distractions so that they maintain focus on the road.
Here are some of the best distracted driving safety tips every driver should keep in mind when they are driving in Washington:
- Prepare before driving: Many instances of distracted driving come down to drivers not doing what they need to do before they start their vehicle. This may be the result of you not programming your GPS before entering a roadway, or you may be trying to move items around in your car while driving. Taking time before you start your vehicle to get your things in order and prepare can help eliminate a significant amount of distractions.
- Stay hands-free: Once you begin driving, you need to avoid doing anything that takes your hands off of the steering wheel. For many people, this may look like avoiding drinking or eating while driving, and you may want to even put your phone in the backseat to avoid the temptation of using it. You should also avoid doing anything with your appearance while driving and make sure children and pets are safe and secure in the backseat.
- Limit noise: Noise can also be a significant distraction, especially on busy roadways or in high-traffic areas of Washington. You may want to ask any passengers to stay quiet during certain parts of the trip, or you may want to turn off any music so that you can focus entirely on the road. It is also highly recommended that you silence your phone while you are driving to avoid the temptation of reaching for it if someone calls or you receive a text message.
- Don’t multitask: No matter how prepared you may be, sometimes things come up while you are driving that you need to attend to. Something may have fallen on the floor that you need access to, or you may have a small child that needs assistance. Never try to multitask while you are driving; instead, find a place to pull over and address the issue before continuing.
If you have been involved in a distracted driving car accident, you need to hire a car accident attorney to represent you. An attorney can help you when it comes to proving who was at fault so that you are able to receive the compensation you need to recover from your damages. This is a necessary step whether you contributed to the accident or you are the victim of another distracted driver.
Contact an Auto Accident Attorney at NBF Accident Law
Have you been the victim of a distracted driver in the state of Washington? This is unfortunately more common than people realize as distracted driving is a significant issue that many drivers contribute to in one way or another.
At NBF Accident Law, our car accident lawyers will fight purposefully on behalf of victims of car accidents in the state of Washington, assisting you every step of the way. We can help you file your claim, locate critical evidence, and communicate with insurance providers.
Contact us today at 206-923-8888 to schedule a consultation with one of our attorneys in Washington.
