People who take selfies while driving have brought the risk of becoming involved in an auto accident to a whole new level.

Despite New York laws prohibiting motorists from texting and talking on hand-held cellphones while behind the wheel, many motorists continue to engage in this hazardous habit. In some cases, drivers take it a step further and take selfies while attempting to navigate the roadways. Many people are addicted to bookmarking their lives, and this does not stop while they are traveling. Not only does this put the driver's life in danger, but it risks the lives of everyone on the road.

The facts

In 2015, distracted driving injured 391,000 people and took 3,477 lives in the United States, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. At any given moment, 660,000 motorists are using their cellphones to text, talk, email, utilize apps and take selfies. Social media sites show evidence of people taking self-portraits while operating a vehicle. Instagram alone shows more than 3,727 posts under the hashtag #drivingselfie, and more than 9,700 posts under #drivingtowork. The National Safety Council reported that people who text while driving are eight times more likely to become involved in a traffic accident than those who focus solely on driving. Taking selfies takes this hazard to a whole new level.

Types of distraction

While snapping a selfie behind the wheel, drivers are manually distracted, as they must remove their hands from the steering wheel in order to operate the phone. Furthermore, drivers are visually distracted when they take their eyes off the road to see what they are doing, position themselves and strike a pose. Finally, drivers are forced to take their concentration away from driving to focus on taking the perfect picture. The dangers of performing all of these acts together while traveling at fast speeds down the roadway alongside other vehicles is alarming.

Studies

Numerous studies show that when drivers are distracted in any form, their risk of an accident increases. When all three types of distractions are combined, the human brain is not prepared to respond to hazards in the road, such as pedestrians, traffic lights, objects in the road, bad weather conditions and other reckless drivers.

Getting the help you need

When people are involved in tragic auto accidents, the results are often devastating. If you have been injured or lost a loved one in an accident, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical expenses, property damage, lost wages from work and emotional trauma. A New York attorney at Smiley & Smiley, LLP, may be essential to your case and help to guide you through the legal process. Contact at: 212-986-2022.