Distraction Causes Up To 8,000 Car Wrecks Per Day

According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, distracted driving is rapidly increasing across the nation. In 2010, there were about 3,092 traffic fatalities, and The National Safety Council estimates there have been over ONE MILLION car crashes this year in the U.S. due to talking on the cell phone and texting. This week, students at Hoover and Spain Park high schools in Hoover, AL are partnering with the National Association of School Resource Officers to participate in a safety campaign in order to raise awareness about the dangers of distracted driving.

Car wrecks are the NUMBER 1 cause of death for people aged 15-24 (and women under 35). Surprisingly, very few traffic fatalities are “accidents”. Instead, studies have proven that almost all traffic deaths are caused by seven predictable choices or decisions drivers make which relate to 99.99 percent of all road fatalities. The Citrin Safety Foundation calls these decisions, D.A.N.G.E.R.S.:

Distractions (texting, talking on the cell phone, eating, applying make-up, pets, etc.)
Alcohol/drugs (driving impaired)
No seat belts (failing to buckle up)
Groups (too many young passengers)
Exhaustion (fatigue)
Riding bumpers (tailgating)
Speed (exceeding the speed limit or failing to slow down for weather or traffic)

Each of these D.A.N.G.E.R.S. represents a choice or decision on the part of the driver or passenger to the basic safety rules of the road we are all required to follow. As Founder and injury lawyer Andy Citrin is fond of saying: Decisions are not accidents. To prevent these deaths, the National Safety Council developed a program called, “Alive at 25”, which has been proven to be 90% effective in reducing young drivers from making these deadly driving decisions. Because Alabama ranks 3rd worst in the U.S. in traffic death, Mr. Citrin teaches the Alive at 25 program free of charge at local schools through the non-profit, Citrin Safety Foundation (CSF). A top-rated, board certified trial attorney with a 26 year track record of winning large verdicts and settlements for people injured through no fault of their own, Citrin has a passion for encouraging safe driving practices and holding individuals accountable for irresponsible driving decisions that harm innocent people.

If you would like to make a tax-deductible donation to the Citrin Safety Foundation, or would like information about getting Mr. Citrin to teach the program at your school, contact Executive Director Pam Winstead by visting www.CitrinSafetyFoundation.org . If you or a loved one have been injured in a car, truck, or motorcycle accident through no fault of your own, and you need passionate, proven, and professional trial lawyers on your side, call the Citrin Law Firm at 251-888-8888 for a FREE consultation or complete the Free Case Review form to the right to begin exploring your legal options today.