Michigan Has One of the Lowest Rates of Distracted Driving Deaths

According to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration data, Michigan is one of the safest states in the U.S. regarding distracted driving. QuoteWizard, an insurance company, analyzed NHTSA fatality data from between 2013 and 2017 in each state to rank the 50 states based on their number of fatalities. The states are ranked from 1 being the most distracted and dangerous state, to 50 being the least distracted, with Michigan ranking as one of the safest at 44. The only states safer than Michigan were recorded as being Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Nevada, Oregon, and Mississippi.

Between 2013 and 2017, Michigan had 209 distracted driving fatalities, which comprised less than 3% of the total fatalities, which were 7,080.

The states with the most distracted driving fatalities were New Mexico, which ranked #1 with 604 fatalities, New Jersey with 750, Washington with 626, Kentucky with 842, and Hawaii, with 105 deaths.

Besides state rankings, the report also showed a decline in distracted driving over the time period, with the fatalities counting for over 6% of all driving fatalities in 2013, but dropping to just over 5% in 2017.

One of the reasons for Michigan’s low number of distracted driving deaths is the 2013 legislation that prohibits cell phone use by new drivers. Under the law, teenaged drivers with a Level 1 or 2 Graduated Driver License are prohibited from making or answering phone calls. The only exemptions are when a teenager needs to report an emergency, crash, or crime.

The law may be modified, as a bill introduced by Representative Mari Manoogian of Birmingham proposes to make it illegal for any driver under 18 to use a cell phone for any reason.

How to Limit Distractions

Car accidents resulting from distracted driving can easily be prevented by staying alert and doing whatever is in your power to limit distractions.

General safety tips include:

• Putting away your electronic distractions before you drive: This includes your cell phone, tablet, and any video game console you may have.
• Making car adjustments before you drive: Adjust your mirrors, seats, and controls before the car starts moving. Make sure you know your route ahead of time to avoid looking away from the road and at your phone screen.
• Pulling over if necessary: If another activity is demanding your attention, it’s safest to pull over and stop in a safe area, rather than devote your attention to the activity and driving at the same time.

150+ Years of Experience on Our Side

If you’ve been injured in a car accident due to another driver’s negligence, you deserve a personal injury lawyer who you can trust to work tirelessly in order to recover the damages you’re facing. The attorneys at Goodman Acker P.C. have decades of experience helping motor vehicle accident victims heal. We’ve achieved numerous million-dollar verdicts and settlements, and our accomplished lawyers have been included on the Super Lawyers® list as well as on the list of Top 100 Trial Lawyers. We use our knowledge and skills in every case we work on, and we strive to be attentive to each of our client’s needs and goals.

Call our car accident lawyers at Goodman Acker P.C. for empathetic service and dedicated advocacy at (248) 793-2010, or contact us online. We’re committed to helping the injured and disabled pursue the compensation they deserve for their pain and suffering.