One in Six Drivers Distracted in School Zones

According to the results of a national study, one in six drivers is distracted while traveling through active school zones.

Drivers seem to be more distracted today than they were in the past. From talking on cell phones to text messaging, it is easy to take your eyes of the road just for a few seconds. Studies have shown that driver distractions can increase the chance of being involved in a car accident. The risk of a collision goes up in as little as 3 seconds of a distraction.

According to the national report, “Distracted Drivers in School Zones,” it takes the average driver about ¼ of a second to identify a road hazard, such as a child running in the street, ¼ of a second for the brain to process the circumstance and an additional ¼ of a second to decide how to avoid the danger. When you apply this information to a school zone with a posted speed limit of 30 MPH, it takes a total of about 203 feet to completely stop the vehicle after recognizing a hazard.

Researchers observed 41,426 cars that travelled through active school zones and found that per 1,000 vehicles, 170 of the drivers were distracted. Some of the distractions included cell phone or electronic usage, eating, drinking, smoking, looking behind, reaching for an object inside the car, grooming and believe it or not, reading. Most of the distracted drivers were observed during afternoon hours in the school zones.

The findings of this study are unsettling. Children often lack the cognitive ability to recognize traffic hazards and are commonly seen darting into streets. Drivers need to avoid distractions not only in school zones, but when operating their vehicles in general.

If your child has been injured in a pedestrian accident in St. Petersburg, Pinellas Park, Largo, Clearwater, Bradenton or other area in Florida, you should contact an injury attorney the Law Offices of William K. Saron at (727) 345-4566 or (866) 836-4947 for legal advice. You may be able to pursue compensation for your child’s injuries.