Middleton Wisconsin Personal Injury Law Blog

People in Wisconsin could be taking their lives in their hands when they get behind the wheel. Accidental injuries of various types are the leading cause of death for Americans up to the age of 44, according to statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In fact, in 2016 alone, 61,749 people in this age group died due to unintentional injury. While there can be a number of contributors to accidental injuries, motor vehicle accidents and poisonings were the most commonly fatal.

However, people can take action to make themselves less vulnerable to accidents and injuries on the road. Each year, over 2 million people are injured and 32,000 killed in car accidents. Driving safely and conscientiously can help to avoid many crashes. This means staying within the speed limit and making sure to drive without distractions or other influences that could lessen reaction times. While drunk driving remains a major threat on American roads, distracted driving is becoming one of the most significant risks to life and safety.

When people get behind the wheel in Wisconsin, they can face dangerous roadways. One of the most significant threats to highway safety that has escalated along with technological advances has been the rise in distracted driving. When truck drivers are distracted, the risks can be especially great. Passenger cars involved in crashes with large trucks are particularly vulnerable to catastrophic damage. While reducing distracted driving overall is a national safety priority, safety experts agree that it's particularly important for trucking companies.

Public awareness initiatives against distracted driving have been widely promoted. Even though American drivers seem to recognize how dangerous the practice is, many continue to drive while texting, web surfing or using the phone. One AAA study showed that 88 percent of respondents labeled distraction as the most serious threat to road safety. Nevertheless, drivers tend to believe that they are an exception to the rule and that they are able to manage technology use without being dangerously distracted. These kinds of beliefs can be especially common and dangerous among experienced drivers familiar with the roads.

Road safety advocates say that sophisticated safety features like adaptive cruise control and emergency braking systems can prevent 4 out of 10 traffic accidents and reduce road deaths by as much as 30 percent. However, a recent study released by the American Automobile Association claims that this kind of technology could actually be making the nation's roads more dangerous. Researchers from the group's Foundation for Traffic Safety came to this conclusion after polling 1,200 drivers in Wisconsin and around the country who purchased new vehicles equipped with driver assistance systems in 2016 and 2017.

According to the AAA road safety study, technology designed to prevent accidents and save lives can pose a threat to other road users when drivers overestimate its capabilities and act recklessly as a result. The problem appears to be especially serious when cars are equipped with adaptive cruise control systems that speed up or slow down vehicles to keep pace with other traffic. A worrying 29 percent of the drivers polled admitted that they routinely look away from the road ahead and do other things when these systems are engaged.

Technology allows work or other pursuits to be accomplished from just about anywhere. Perhaps it's tempting to use a cellphone when driving, but distracted driving remains a leading reason why motor vehicle accidents occur.

While there is some evidence to suggest the problem may be more prevalent among one generation more so than others, a recent study leads to the conclusion that drivers of all ages need to do a better job of paying attention. One interesting finding is a common theme among all the generations of drivers surveyed: They all think the other drivers on the road are the problem, not themselves.