When you take your eyes off the road to use your phone, it can take up to 27 seconds for your eyes to recover and reorient to the road and for the mental distraction to wear off. This hangover effect, as it is known, can happen any time you text and drive – even while stopped at a traffic light or stop sign. Texting & driving has a huge potential for fatalities and serious, life-threatening injuries on our Kansas City roads.
Texting is a deadly form of distracted driving
Text messaging requires visual, manual, and cognitive attention from the driver. Texting takes a driver’s attention away from driving more frequently and for longer periods than other distractions.
Consider this, texting gives drivers the same response time as someone who has had four beers in an hour.
Hundreds are killed annually in accidents involving texting and driving. In 2021, 410 people in total were killed as a direct result of accidents caused by texting and driving. That amounts to more than one death per day.
Injured in a Texting & Driving Accident? We can help you
Top facts about texting and driving:
- At any moment during the day, more than 800,000 drivers are using a hand-held device. (NCSL)
- 60% of teens 18 and older admit to emailing or texting and driving compared to 16% of 15- and 16-year-olds (CDC)
35% of teens admit to texting and driving, even though 94% of them understand the dangers. (AAA)- 1 in 4 teens admit to responding to at least one text every time they drive. (AAA)
- 10% of parents and 20% of teens admit to having multi-text conversations while driving. (AAA)
- Drivers aged 15 to 20 make up 8% of drivers in fatal traffic crashes but account for 9% of all distracted drivers and 11% of those distracted by cell phones. (NHSTA)
- The 21 to 24 age group, while only 9% of drivers in fatal crashes, represents 10% of all distracted drivers and 12% of those distracted by cell phones. (NHSTA)
- The first reduction in distracted driving since 2020 was recorded in 2023, with a 4.5% decrease that helped prevent over 55,000 crashes, 31,000 injuries, 250 fatalities and saved close to $2.2 billion in economic damages in the U.S. (Cambridge Mobile Telematics – CMT)
- A 10% increase in distracted driving is linked to a 1.5% rise in the fatality rate, highlighting the critical impact of distraction on road safety. (CMT)
“Texting is the most alarming distraction. Sending or reading a text takes your eyes off the road for 5 seconds. At 55 mph, that’s like driving the length of an entire football field with your eyes closed.” [Source: NHTSA]
Source of Statistics: Texting and Driving Statistics 2024 | Bankrate
Missouri’s Distracted Driving Law
A new law took effect on August 28, 2023, in Missouri. At this time, state law officially changed, banning people from holding their phones for anything other than a simple touch. Penalties will start being given in January 2025. Until then, it will be considered an educational period to warn and inform drivers.
The law is referred to as a secondary offense, like Missouri’s seat belt law, which means law enforcement can only write a citation after pulling a driver over for something else. Fines range from $150 to $500.
Specific exemptions are given for drivers communicating in emergencies, emergency first responders and other emergency roadside workers, and for-hire drivers.
Our knowledgeable staff is available at (877) 284-6600.
Injured in a Texting & Driving Accident?
If you suspect the other driver was texting while driving, obtain the advice of a personal injury attorney, one familiar with accidents involving texting and driving. In the Kansas City area, the experienced auto accident attorneys at Nash & Franciskato are knowledgeable and well versed in investigating these types of car accidents.
We take the burden off your shoulders so that you can concentrate on what matters most, healing and recovering from the accident. Our car accident attorneys will conduct a thorough investigation of the accident, finding out all of the details, and talking to witnesses. In addition, we will subpoena phone records to confirm or deny if the driver was talking or texting when the accident occurred.
Receive a Free Evaluation from Experienced Car Accident Attorneys
If you have been injured by a distracted driver, one who has been texting and driving, let the attorneys at Nash & Franciskato help you obtain the compensation you deserve.
Our experienced automobile accident attorneys offer:
- Over 80 years of combined experience
- Trusted legal advisor committed to your needs
- Super Lawyers for over 10 years
- The AV Preeminence Rating for Ethical Standards & Legal Ability
- Compassionate advocacy for you and your family
In the Kansas City area and across Missouri, the Nash & Franciskato Law Firm will fight for your rights. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation evaluation of your case.
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Resources for You
- Distracted Driving Car Accidents
- Missouri’s Cell Phone-Use & Texting-While-Driving Laws
- Missouri Electronic communication device, use of while driving prohibited
- Texting & Driving statistics
- Risky business behind the wheel (aaa.com)
More blog articles related to automobile safety and accidents
Editor’s Note: This page was originally written and published on December 20, 2015. It was reviewed for content and accuracy on August 26, 2022, and June 7, 2024; it was re-published on August 21, 2024.