Do distracted driving laws reduce fatalities?

In Illinois and beyond, hundreds of people lose their lives every year in distracted driving accidents. Several states have passed laws that aim to curb the frequency of distracted driving and provide harsher punishments for people who don’t pay attention to the road. But are these laws effective, or does distracted driving continue to run rampant?

Do distracted driving laws make a difference?

Studies have shown that distracted driving laws can reduce the frequency of car accidents caused by distracted driving. In fact, states with strict distracted driving bans have an up to 30% lower fatality rate than states with weaker bans. Some states issued a complete ban on using a smartphone while driving, which has decreased the fatality rate by up to 44%.

Overwhelmingly, Tennessee has the highest rate of distracted driving fatalities, with over seven deaths per ten billion vehicle miles. While they do have laws banning some forms of distracted driving, they don’t ban the use of smartphones in all areas. Delaware comes in second with over three fatalities per 10 billion miles. Wyoming comes in third due to its lack of distracted driving laws. In fact, Wyoming doesn’t ban smartphone use for young drivers, who are much more likely to engage in distracted driving than adults.

What can you do if you’re injured in a car accident?

Regardless of your state’s distracted driving laws, there’s always someone who engages in distracted driving anyway. If they’re not paying attention to the road, they could easily slam into your vehicle, causing injuries and severe vehicle damage. Multiple aspects of your life could be thrown into question, including your health, job, income, and the use of your vehicle. Talk to an attorney to see if you could sue the other driver to receive compensation for your damages.