A new study investigating behavior and attitudes regarding U.S. drivers concluded that distraction due to mobile devices has increased greatly since 2013. Ironically, the same surveyed motorists reported that they consider distracted driving as a serious road hazard. In fact, there is a large consensus amongst those polled that distracted driving is a serious threat to drivers in West Virginia and across the country.

The survey, released by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety in March, polled over 2,600 participants about their views and behaviors regarding traffic safety. All of the participants were over the age of 16 and had driven within the last 30 days.

Close to half of those surveyed self-reported that they had talked on the phone or read a text message while behind the wheel. Also, over one-third of all respondents reported having written an e-mail or text message while behind the wheel. These results mark a 46 percent increase in mobile-device driver distractions since 2013. This should concern anyone on the road based on the effect distraction has on driver safety. A previous AAA study indicated that a driver talking on the phone is four times for likely to get into an accident. Drivers who text message while driving are eight times more likely to crash. Since automobile collisions lead to 37,000 fatalities in the United States each year, it stands to reason that limiting distracted driving could save lives.

An individual injured in a vehicle accident caused by a distracted driver can face severe consequences. However, a lawyer with experience in personal injury law could help a crash victim recover damages for medical bills, pain and suffering and lost wages.