Louisiana ranks highest among most fatal accidents due to distracted driving

Jakori Madison, Lafayette Daily Advertiser
·2 min read

In Louisiana, 20 percent of fatal car crashes involve a distracted driver, according to a Forbes Advisor team. These fatal accidents usually occur when a driver is distracted by someone riding in the passenger seat, using a phone, or visual or manual distractions.

Louisiana ranks #3 for having the most fatal accidents due to distracted driving according to the report. Nine people in the United States are killed every day in crashes that are reported involving a distracted driver according to the CDC.

A total of 24 states have banned all handheld cell phone use. Louisiana is not listed as one of the states. The Forbes report shows Louisiana listed 19.82% of fatal crashes due to distracting driving compared to the highest in New Mexico at 38%, and the lowest in Mississippi at 1.4%.

More than half of American drivers admit to using a cellphone while driving
More than half of American drivers admit to using a cellphone while driving

The Louisiana Highway Safety Commission states cell phone use is the most common example of distracted driving. Using a cell phone while driving can divert attention aurally, cognitively, and even visually and physically. A distracting event is anything that takes the driver’s attention away from the primary task and results in a delay in the recognition of information necessary for optimum driving performance.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention identified three kinds of distracted driving:

  • Visual distractions that cause you to take your eyes off the road- This can include using a GPS, looking at a billboard, checking out the scenery or even looking at other cars surrounding you instead of those directly in your path and adjacent to you.

  • Manual distractions that cause you to take your hand off the wheel- This can include eating while driving, using your cell phone, changing the music, or reaching for something in the car.

  • Cognitive distractions that take your mind off driving - Singing, talking to someone in the passenger, or daydreaming are all cognitive distractions.

Cell phone use including texting, talking, and social media use has become the most common distraction. Taking your eyes off the road for a split second can cause fatal accidents that impact the driver and the involved party. The National Highway Traffic Safety Admission compared sending or reading a text for 5 seconds at 55 mph is like driving the length of an entire football field with your eyes closed.

In the state of Louisiana, It is illegal to use a cell phone to text message or post on social media while operating a vehicle on any public road or highway but is not banned. The fine for cell phone use while driving is $175 for the first offense and $500 for each subsequent offense.

April is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month.

This article originally appeared on Lafayette Daily Advertiser: Fatal car crashes involving a distracted driver in Louisiana is high