Media Usage/Phone and DVDs

Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of major car accidents in Clark County, Nevada. Of course, distracted driving comes in many different forms. It includes everything from texting while at a red light to putting on makeup in the rear-view mirror in busy traffic.

In recent years, most Americans have become more familiar with dangers of texting while driving. In 2007, Washington became the first state to apply a ban on texting while behind the wheel. In the following years, 47 states also applied bans on texting while driving, including the state of Nevada. However, as our society is very slowly beginning to wake up to the fact that texting while driving is extremely dangerous, new threats are quickly beginning to emerge.

Specifically, in-car media usage, from smartphones and tablets to built-in infotainment systems, is becoming a very serious problem. This type of dangerous media usage has become the next big issue in traffic safety. In 2017, the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety released the results of a study that found that in-car infotainment systems were leading to a sharp increase in dangerous impaired driving.

Understanding the Dangers of Distraction

Driving while distracted by any type of media is a major impairment. It must be avoided at all times, as media-related distractions can dramatically increase the chances that a person will become involved in a serious car accident. Distractions generally adversely affect a person’s driving in four different areas: hands, ears, eyes, and mind. To safely operate a motor vehicle, all four of those basic faculties must be freely available and capable of working together.

A driver’s hands must be positioned safely on the wheel, not busy pressing buttons on a smartphone or an in-car DVD player. A driver must be able to hear what is going on around them, not impaired by extremely loud music or a movie. A driver’s eyes must be on the road at all times, not stealing glances at a nearby screen. Finally, a driver must always have their mind focused on the activity at hand, not diverted while setting up or closely following media or entertainment. The simple fact is that driver media usage can threaten the safety of everyone else on the road.

Las Vegas Nevada Media Usage Driving is Negligence

Under Nevada law, all drivers have a legal responsibility to operate their vehicle in a reasonably safe manner. The failure to live up to this basic responsibility is a form of negligence. If a Nevada driver’s negligence contributes to a motor vehicle wreck, then that driver can be held liable for any injuries or damages. It is important for all drivers to know that driving while being distracted by media or in-car entertainment is, by definition, a form of negligence. If you or a loved one was hurt by a distracted driver, it is imperative that you speak to a top-rated Las Vegas auto accident lawyer immediately.