We are all familiar with the many campaigns against drunk driving. Certainly, the cause deserves campaigns; drunk driving still accounts for many accidents and endangers the lives of innocent people on a daily basis. However, there is a new danger, or rather one that has increased greatly in more recent times: distracted driving. While driving distracted may not be quite as dangerous as driving drunk, it still puts both you and those around you at risk. Even worse, it’s a much more socially acceptable behavior; so many more people do it.

Distracted driving is what it sounds like, but it might help if we break it down a bit further. While any kind of distraction, even eating, talking, or music, can contribute to an accident, some are much more likely to. With the modern age, by far the most common distraction is cell phones. Many serious and even fatal accidents have occurred due to people talking or texting on their cell phones while driving. It has gotten to the point where many states now have laws against driving with a cell phone, because of how distracting it has proved and how much danger it has caused on the road.

Knowing about any laws your state has concerning distracted driving is important for two reasons. One, it helps you target habits you should avoid while driving it you want to be safe. Two, if you get in an accident and the other driver was engaging in one of the behaviors your state considers problematic, you could be eligible for compensation to help pay for hospital bills or repairs. Kirkendall Dwyer LLP is one of the car accident lawyers of Houston who can help answer your questions and also assist in bringing your case to court.