It is no secret that distracted driving accidents have become a major issue on our roads. However, what you may not know is that one of the leading causes of these accidents is video gaming. Yes, you read that right. According to a study conducted by the University of Utah and according to many reputed car and truck accident lawyers in New York, video gaming can be just as distracting as texting while driving. So, if you are ever tempted to reach for your phone while behind the wheel, think twice; your favorite game could be putting you and others at risk.
Teens are the most likely drivers to be involved in a distracted driving accident
Some of the most vulnerable drivers on the road are teens. They are inexperienced and still learning the rules of the road. Let's face it, they are often more interested in their phone than they are in driving. That is why it is not surprising that teen drivers are the most likely to be involved in a distracted driving accident. In fact, according to the CDC, nearly one in four teenage drivers who were killed in car accidents were distracted at the time of the crash.
If you have a teenager who is about to start driving, have a serious talk with them about the dangers of distracted driving. Let them know that even something as seemingly innocuous as playing a game on their phone can put themselves and others at risk. Help them understand that no text, phone call, or video game is worth risking their life or the lives of others, and also the legal implications of such accidents. An experienced NYC car accident attorney can hold them liable for the injuries and losses sustained by the other party.
A study found that 11% of teen drivers who crashed their cars were playing video games at the time of the accident
Certain studies have found that playing video games can lead to a number of problems in teenagers, such as poor grades and sleep deprivation. Now, there is evidence that it can also lead to something much more serious: car accidents.
A study from the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute found that 11% of teen drivers who were killed in car accidents were distracted at the time of the crash. Of those distracted drivers, one in three were playing video games.
The study looked at police reports of fatal crashes involving teenage drivers between 2010 and 2018. In total, there were over 11,000 accidents studied. While gaming was not the only distraction (others included talking to passengers and using a cell phone), it was by far the most common.
So, what can be done to prevent these types of accidents? For one, parents need to have a talk with their kids about responsible driving, but also, game developers need to do their part by designing games that are not as addictive and distracting.
Video gaming can be just as dangerous as texting while driving
Video gaming can be just as dangerous as texting while driving, according to a new study. When people get addicted to a game, they can't help but play it even when they are behind the wheel.
That can lead to some serious accidents. In fact, in the study, nearly 25% of all car accidents were caused by people who were playing video games. That is more than any other type of distracted driving accidents studied.
Parents should talk to their kids about the dangers of video gaming while driving
While we can't necessarily control how addictive or distracting video games are, we can control how we play them. Parents have a responsibility to keep their kids informed about the dangers of playing video games while driving.
So please, be responsible when you are behind the wheel. If you are going to play a game, wait until you are safely parked first. Your life—and the lives of others—depend on it.
There are ways to reduce distractions while driving, including putting your phone away and turning off notifications
Reducing distractions while driving is key to keeping yourself and others safe on the road. One way to do this is to put your phone away and turn off notifications. This will help you avoid being tempted to look at your phone while driving.
Another way to reduce distractions is to plan your route before you start driving. This way, you won't have to fiddle with a map or GPS while you're behind the wheel. If you can, avoid multitasking while driving altogether. Just focus on the task at hand: getting from point A to point B safely.
We all have a responsibility to keep our roads safe, and it starts with putting down the controller and paying attention to the task at hand: driving. Let's make a pledge to end distracted driving accidents caused by video gaming once and for all.
If you are the cause of an accident that in turn causes serious injuries to someone, a personal injury or bus accident attorney in New York can take you to court and hold you liable. This means that you may have to pay huge sums of money as compensation and damages to the victim. Sav yourself the trouble, and don’t drive while playing video games!
