How is Distracted Driving Similar to Drunk Driving?

The short answer is that distracted driving is exactly what it sounds like, which is driving while your attention isn't focused on your task.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, distracted driving comes in three forms:

Manual: when you remove your hands from the wheel
Visual: when your eyes aren't on the road
Cognitive: when your mind isn't focused on the task of driving

How Is It Similar to Drunk Driving?

Although one is caused by alcohol-impaired judgment while the other is caused by distractions of various forms, the most obvious similarity between distracted and drunk driving is that both account for thousands of motor vehicle-related deaths and injuries each year.

The Fatalities

The CDC, referencing the findings of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, discovered that 3, 477 out of 35, 092 total motor vehicle deaths were linked to distracted driving. Injuries due to distracted driving in the same year accounted for 391, 000 out of just over 2 million total motor vehicle-related injuries.

On its study of drunk driving, the CDC noted that drunk driving accounted for 10, 265 or 29% of total motor vehicle deaths.

The Ages of the Drivers

According to the numbers compiled by the CDC, one of the risk factors that both distracted drivers and impaired drivers have in common is that a disproportionate number of the drivers involved are young.

With distracted driving, CDC notes that drivers under the age of 20 account for the largest demographic of fatalities.

Due to the age limit, drunk drivers aren't quite the same age as distracted drivers, but again those between the ages of 21 and 25 accounted for the highest proportion of impaired driving fatalities

The Laws

The particulars vary from state to state but, per the National Conference of State Legislatures, "distracted driving laws", do make texting while driving illegal in 47 states including New York.

All 50 states have a blood alcohol content limit and that drunk driving is very much illegal in New York.

If you're facing distracted driving charges or DUI charges, New York residents have an experienced legal team that they can turn to. Contact us today.

Need Help With Your DWI Arrest Charges?

If your arrest occurred in Westchester County, NY, contact our DWI lawyers at this office:

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