Smartphone Addiction and Its Role in Delaware Distracted Driving Crashes

By Jeffrey S. Friedman | March 12, 2018

Smartphone Addiction and Its Role in Delaware Distracted Driving CrashesThe attorneys at Silverman, McDonald & Friedman have represented clients harmed by distracted driving car accidents throughout Delaware. We help clients like you recover compensation when another driver’s negligence has caused you injuries. To learn more, schedule an appointment in our Wilmington, Newark or Seaford offices.

A recent tragedy occurred in Texas, when a young man was texting to the extent that his driving was erratic crashed into a church van killing 13 people. The 20-year-old driver was genuinely apologetic for what he had done. He admitted that he had been texting when the crash occurred. Unfortunately, his remorse will not restore those 13 people to their loved ones, nor will it absolve him of the guilt that will likely plague him for the rest of his life.

It is not enough for drivers who allow themselves to be distracted by a smartphone while they are driving to say, “I’m sorry.” For so many people to keep repeating behavior that they know to be hazardous might suggest that people who insist on texting while driving are addicted to their smartphones and do not know how to put them down while they are driving.

What is smartphone addiction?

There is a name for smartphone addiction: nomophobia. A survey by data security company reports that 70% of women and 61% of men have separation anxiety when they can’t find their cell phones. The symptoms of smartphone addiction include:

  • Anxiety when your phone is not in your possession
  • Constantly checking your phone
  • Phantom cellphone vibration syndrome, which occurs when you think you felt your phone vibrate, but it didn’t.
  • Tuning out conversations with people in your presence to check social media and text messages
  • Poor grades because of cellphone distractions
  • Leaving the house and realizing that you left the phone at home, so you turn around and go get it. (Psychology Today)

How smartphone addiction leads to distracted driving crashes

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that there were 3,450 distraction-related traffic fatalities in 2016. It’s likely fair to say that none of those drivers that caused thousands of deaths in 2016 because they were fiddling around with their phones instead of paying attention to the road set out to harm anyone. Americans tend to vastly overestimate their ability to multitask while they are driving. Compared to the constant stimulation that the shiny screen of a smart phone provides, driving can be incredibly boring. Even as smartphones are getting smarter drivers are not doing the same.

Tips for kicking smartphone addiction cold turkey

Psychology Today offers these suggestions for weaning yourself (if not you, then maybe someone you know) of your smartphone addiction:

  • No texting behind the wheel. Turn your phone off or put it in driving mode and put it in a place where you can’t see it or reach it while you are driving.
  • Do not bring the phone into the bathroom
  • Put your phone in another room when you go to bed
  • When you are with other people, turn your phone off and put it away
  • Try taking occasional breaks where you (gasp) leave the phone at home and enjoy a technology-free day

Texting while driving can make you 23 times more likely to cause a car crash. Try to imagine how you would feel if you were that unfortunate driver who was texting on his phone and caused the deaths of 13 people. When you reach for that phone in a moment of boredom while you are driving remind yourself that you do not want to every be that guy.

If a negligent driver and you injured you want justice, you may contact Silverman, McDonald & Friedman by calling 302-888-2900 or filling out our contact form right away. Our car crash attorneys in Wilmington, Newark, and Seaford help clients obtain full and fair compensation after a distracted driving car accident. We are here to fight for you.

Related:

Posted in Auto Accidents