• Skip to main content

The Patterson Cozzo Law Firm

Small Firm, Big Results

  • Attorneys
    • Scott Patterson
    • Kathryn Cozzo
  • Practice Areas
    • Personal Injury
    • Mediation
  • Blog
  • Locations
  • Contact Us

Distracted Driving

Distracted Driving Is No Big Deal

young man distracted texting while driving
Texting While Driving

For many of us, distracted driving is no big deal. It’s something we deal with every day. Multitasking has become a way of life for most Americans and, unfortunately, that makes our roadways unsafe. In Atlanta, accidents are a common occurrence, and as we all become more glued to our smart phones, texting and driving is becoming a widely practiced, but deadly habit. Have you ever swerved into the next lane without realizing there was already someone there? Have you ever had to slam on your brakes because you didn’t realize the traffic around you was coming to a stop? We all see near misses everyday, and yet we think distracted driving is no big deal.

Most public service announcements utilize scare tactics when they bring up distracted driving. The problem with this way of thinking is that for many of us, texting and driving has become a habit. Luckily, habits can be changed. One of the easiest ways to break a bad habit is to replace it with another, better one. Here is a list of Habits that are better than texting while driving.

Take deep, soothing breaths: Use your commute time to relax. Focus on your breathing and on the task at hand. Enjoy just learning about where your mind goes if it only has to focus on the road and the cars around you.

Notice the sky: You shouldn’t stare at the sky, obviously, but take the opportunity while in your car to witness the world.

Do something silly to make yourself (and possibly other motorists) laugh: Play air drums on the steering wheel, pretend you are piloting a spaceship, or drive a race car (while sticking to the speed limit, of course). It could be a fun time, and if nothing else, your fellow motorists will get a kick out of it.

Notice things about your car: This one can come in handy. The better you know your car, the easier it is to take care of it. Is there a new noise? Maybe the sticker for your next oil change has been ignored for too long and you haven’t noticed it until just now. Paying attention to your vehicle just makes sense, and your mechanic will thank you.

Enjoy the drive: Sometimes all you need to be happy is to roll the windows down and drive, smell of leather seats, feel of the steering wheel and sound of the motor. If you are able to stop checking your phone, you can notice all of these things.

Keep an eye out for new and fun things to do in your area: New restaurants and great festivals are everywhere in the Atlanta area if you know where to look.

Listen to actual radio stations: You don’t have to feel really retro, but listening to something you don’t have control over will leave you able to focus more on the road and will leave you without the impulse to skip tracks. Who knows, you might even discover new music or learn something interesting.

Learn your surroundings: The better you know your area, the easier it is to navigate, especially when the GPS goes on the fritz. Just think of it as a post-apocalyptic life skill.

Drive more efficiently: Basically, go when there is a green light without making everyone behind you wait until you finish your text.

Drive the speed limit: Most people who text drive below the speed limit.

Airplane mode: Shutting off your phone can make you feel naked and alone out there. If you are still using the, “I use my cell phone as a watch” excuse, or if you use it to listen to music so shutting it off isn’t an option, airplane mode is great. It still leaves all of your on board, non-streaming apps functioning while blocking calls or texts that would only prove to be distracting.

Just shut it off: This isn’t going to be the most popular choice to pick because we seldom shut out the world and we wouldn’t want to miss all those game invites from Facebook, but the truth is, the easiest way to cut distractions from your phone is to simply shut it off. Give it a try, it might feel good.

Woman distracted by texting about to cause accident
Distracted by texting

Even if this list only helps a few people replace their driving habits with better ones, the road will be a safer place. If we all continue to keep our heads down and not on the road we will see more car accidents and more texting accidents. For too many, the consequences of a texting accident are steep. If you or a loved one have been involved in a distracted driving accident, call The Patterson Firm at 770-422-8840.

Filed Under: Distracted Driving, Distracted Driving, Texting While Driving, Traffic Tickets
Tagged With: Distracted Driving, Texting While Driving, Traffic Tickets

Manufacturers Support Hands-Free Texting

As we’ve reported in our previous blog, texting and driving heighten the risk of car accidents in Georgia since reaction times are nearly doubled when engaging in distracted driving. It’s not just consumers or independent researchers that have confirmed the dangers of texting and driving; even car manufacturers undeniably agree – texting and driving is a serious risk to every driver’s safety.

Now, auto manufacturers are speaking up and taking a stance against distracted driving by equipping new cars with texting technology that would allow drivers to engage in communication without the use of their hands.

The hands-free text messaging technology, while promising, still has not won over safety experts who insist any kind of distraction, regardless if the use of hands is involved, can still contribute to car accidents. As the technology develops, experts will have to weigh in to determine if hands-free texting is as safe as auto manufacturers indicate.

“Unfortunately, drivers are being encouraged to do everything but drive,” said Jonathan Adkins, spokesman for the Governors Highway Safety Association. “It’s a sign of the pressures of modern-day life to do 10 things at once. However, driving is a complex task, and our message continues to be that a singular focus is needed.”

People are more inclined than ever to tap into other distractions since we spend more than 34 hours a year in traffic – twice as much than in 1982. Now, drivers are constantly engaged in cell phones, texting, GPS devices, radio, and even TV and Facebook now that Ford has unveiled its Sync system technology. Now a standard feature, the Sync system allows users to connect to cell phones to text, call, and even connect to Facebook.

“When a motorist is driving down the road and a cell phone rings and they answer it, they’re giving us a message that that’s important to them,” said Wade Newton of the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers.

It’s undeniable that wireless communication while driving is important to drivers, and many are unwilling to part with it even if there are risks involved. But, there are ways you can still stay connected, and most importantly, stay safe.

Safety first: keeping distractions at bay

Fortunately, there are reasonable ways you can help keep the road safe while staying connected. Until hands-free texting is a standard feature, consider the following alternatives to stay on the safe side of the road.

Audible Text App

A safety app like DriveSafe.ly will automatically read texts out loud upon receipt so long as the application is activated prior to driving. It’s easy to use and it’s free. Of course, there are many safe texting apps available so choose the one that is best suited for you.

Rules for teen drivers

Be sure you have distracted driving rules in place for teen drivers. You also may consider installing a parental cell phone monitoring tool, especially for new drivers. Download our free teen driving contract to lay down the ground rules before your teen hits the road.

Simply pull over

So long as you can do it safely, pull over to read your urgent texts and answer any impending phone calls. Pulling over into a parking lot or shopping plaza is a good idea so you stay out of the way of traffic. Never pull over into a bike lane, sidewalk, or crosswalk. Make sure you use common sense when pulling over to make calls or texts.

Filed Under: Distracted Driving, Personal Injury, Texting While Driving

  • « Go to Previous Page
  • Go to page 1
  • Go to page 2
  • Free Consultation
  • Georgia Lawyer Legal Disclaimer
  • Testimonials
  • Contact Us

© 2022 The Patterson Cozzo Law Firm