As a Columbia personal injury lawyer , I believe that the some of the only people who truly understand the dangers of drunk driving or distracted driving are those who see the horrific outcomes. People like paramedics, firefighters, and emergency room doctors have seen the devastating effects of dangerous driving behavior firsthand. As a result, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and the Orthopaedic Trauma Association are joining forces to try and prevent such car accidents from taking place.
They have issued a public service announcement and safety campaign called “OMG: Get the Message” which is a play on words for the teenage slang often used in text messages. One Orthopaedic Traumatologist stated on their website , “I was shocked to learn how much texting delays one’s reaction time. While I am, like many others, enamored with this technological communications breakthrough, it is too dangerous in regards to public safety to combine texting and driving. Don’t get the message.”
I recently posted about a study that found that teenage drivers just don’t get how dangerous texting is. When compared to drunk driving, most teens believe that they are less likely to get in a car accident by distracted driving. The campaign urges all drivers, not just teens, to take steps to minimize distractions while driving. That means possibly putting your phone on silent or in “driving mode” when you get in the car so that you won’t be alerted with incoming texts or phone calls. Without your phone alerting you, the urge to see who is on the other line is mitigated.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a distracted driving accident, contact a personal injury lawyer .