The Dangers of Texting While Driving (and Parenting)
BOISE and NAMPA, Idaho. According to the Centers for Disease Control, every day over 1,000 people are personally injured, and at least 8 people die due to distracted driving. Distracted driving has often been linked to the increased popularity of smart phones, apps, and navigation applications. The frightening reality is that more people than ever are using their phones while driving. The Law Office of Johnson & Lundgreen are personal injury lawyers who handle far too many cases where individuals could have avoided deadly and devastating accidents by choosing not to engage in distracted driving. While individuals may know that texting and driving can endanger other drivers, children in their car, and their own safety, individuals may not be aware of other problems that smartphone use while parenting can cause.
According to Forbes, more parents than ever are using their phones while parenting. They text, e-mail, or surf the web while caring for their children. Yet, researchers have suggested that this can have a negative impact on children’s social, emotional, and language development. The dangers of distracted parenting go far beyond the risk of injury in a car accident from a parent who chose to pick up his or her phone. If parents are not regularly interacting with their children, children may run the risk of experiencing developmental setbacks.
While the research is still too early to specifically identify how parents’ cell phone use can affect children’s development, some researchers have expressed their concerns. In one researcher’s discussions with children, the children often reported feelings of hurt when their parents used cell phones during meals or at sporting events. While the jury is still out on whether cell phone use can cause long-term harm, parents may want to consider putting their phones down and discuss phone etiquette with their children. Even better, parents who set good examples about appropriate cell phone use are more likely to raise teens with healthy boundaries surrounding their use of technology.
Cell phone distraction among parents has become so serious that some emergency rooms have even reported increased injuries in young children that could be linked back to parents being distracted by using their cell phones. There have been more reported cases of children and toddlers wandering into traffic due to distracted parents who were focused on their cell phones and not on their children. According to Road Scholars Driving School, there are now many additional questions on written and oral licensing exams that deal with cell phone use for this very reason.
All individuals should be aware of the facts. Using your phone while driving or while walking puts you and your children at higher risk of accidents and injury. Sadly, many people affected by distracted driving were not engaging in the practice. Often, those who get seriously hurt, were victims of another person’s cell phone use. Distracted driving can lead to costly medical expenses, lost time at work, and pain and suffering. The Law Office of Johnson & Lundgreen are personal injury lawyers in Boise and Nampa, Idaho who work closely with families and survivors of car accidents. Our firm takes the time to understand the facts of your case and can help you seek justice and a recovery under the law, when appropriate.
