According to a recent study by Zuboti based on car accident statistics compiled by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), distracted driving accidents are three times more likely to involve male drivers than female drivers.
"Men are more likely to engage in risky driving practices, including not using seat belts, driving while impaired by alcohol, and speeding," according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), as cited by Newsweek.
Distracted driving statistics – men vs. women
Zuboti conducted a nationwide study focusing on distracted driving statistics from 2015 to 2020. On average, an estimated 265,000 to 295,000 distracted driving accidents occur each year that result in an injury, according to Zuboti based on NHTSA accident statistics.
As for distracted driving accidents involving male or female drivers, men were nearly three times as likely to be involved in a fatal distracted driving accident. In 2020, distracted male drivers were involved in 2,125 fatal car accidents. In contrast, 781 female drivers were involved in distracted driving accidents in 2020, according to Zuboti.
What is distracted driving?
There are many ways drivers fail to pay attention behind the wheel. But, according to the Zuboti study, the most common types of distracted driving involve:
- Cellphone use, including texting while driving.
- Reaching for objects in the car.
- Looking at external things while driving or rubbernecking.
- Reading while driving.
- Self-grooming.
- Eating while driving.
- Being distracted by a passenger in the adjacent seat.
- Being distracted by a passenger in the rear seat.
All it takes is a few seconds to cause a distracted driving accident. For example, people who read or write a text message spend an average of 5 seconds looking at their phone instead of the road in front of them. During that 5 seconds, a driver going 55 mph can travel the entire length of a football field without looking at the road.
Talk to a Maine car accident lawyer if you've been injured.
You might think you don't need a lawyer if a distracted driver hits you. This is especially true if a texting driver caused your collision and it's being investigated by a local police officer or state trooper from the Maine State Police.
However, it's important to understand the scope of law enforcement's investigation. In most cases, police are only concerned with whether the at-fault driver violated laws. The police investigation does not involve how much money you receive for your accident-related expenses, such as your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
That's our job – ensuring you're fairly compensated for all your losses. If you were injured or a loved one died in a Maine car accident due to negligence, we can meet with you immediately to discuss your legal rights and options. Our attorneys have years of experience handling complex cases and understand what it takes to get results for our clients.
Contact us and schedule a free consultation with a Maine car accident attorney. There are no obligations, and we work on a contingency fee basis. That means you pay no fees unless we win your case, and you don't need any upfront money for us to get started. Call us today or schedule an appointment online. We have two offices conveniently located in Portland and Waterville, Maine.