Distracted driving is the leading cause of car crashes in Georgia

ALBANY, Ga. (WALB) – The variety of lethal crashes in Georgia has doubled over the past 9 years, in keeping with new information from the Georgia Division of Transportation.

The rise is because of extra individuals driving recklessly, impaired and distracted. April is Distracted Driving Consciousness Month.

Practically 500 individuals died in automobile crashes on Georgia roads final yr. That’s nearly 100 greater than the yr earlier than. Distracted driving is likely one of the greatest causes for the rise in crashes.

Based on some statistics, a minimum of one in three drivers is probably going distracted by their telephones.

“I feel it’s simply as severe as DUIs and stuff like that. I feel being in your telephones is simply as impactful if no more than DUIs and issues like that,” Josiah Hanniford, Newnan, Ga. resident, mentioned.

Statistics state that greater than 3,000 teenagers die every year in crashes that contain texting and driving. That’s the reason one Albany resident is taking precautions earlier than getting her allow.

“I might say for these which were impacted by distracted driving, I might say don’t use your telephone and wait till you get to your designated space to reply a telephone or textual content message,” Jazmine Milledge, Albany Resident, mentioned.

Georgia is a hands-free state, which means drivers can’t maintain their telephones whereas driving. However some imagine telephone mounts can be distracting.

“Folks get the automobile or telephone mounts. I’ve one, however I might say that they’re extra distracting than simply placing your telephone down. I personally wouldn’t get one to be sincere with you,” Hanniford mentioned.

Distracted driving crashes may be powerful to prosecute. In March, Dougherty County resident Cathy Hubbard’s husband and son have been killed by a suspected distracted driver three years in the past. The suspect nonetheless hasn’t gone to trial.

Georgia is certainly one of solely 31 states with a hands-free legislation. The fantastic for a primary quotation is $50 and 1 level in opposition to your file. Nonetheless, many states have more durable penalties.

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