Unsafe driving due to the use of technology is most often associated with young drivers in Florida and other states, but research from the AAA shows that older drivers are more likely to be distracted by technology when driving. When performing actions like tuning the radio, adjusting navigation or making a phone call, drivers between the ages of 55 and 75 took their eyes off the road an average of eight seconds longer than drivers between 21 and 36.
Research shows that a driver taking their eyes off the road for two seconds doubles their chances of crashing. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, more than 3,000 people died on American roadways in 2017 due to distracted driving. Even though in-vehicle technology is designed to provide a voice-command, hands-free experience for drivers, the complicated technology may make operation more difficult for older drivers.
Researchers believe that this is a design problem, not a problem of age. Most in-vehicle technology is built for younger drivers who are already very familiar with the way devices work, but older drivers are tasked with using the devices without the same familiarity. This means they will encounter more problems with the technology, which leads to distractions. Designing devices to be more user-friendly with novices might cut down on distractions significantly.
Drivers, passengers or pedestrians who have been injured in motor vehicle accidents caused by distracted driving may be able to get compensation for their suffering. A personal injury attorney may examine the circumstances of an accident and recommend a legal course of action. This may be as simple as pressuring an insurance company to fulfill a claim, or it may involve filing a lawsuit and going to trial. Compensation might cover medical bills, rehabilitation, property damage, lost wages, pain and suffering and other related expenses.
