A Boulder Attorney’s Tips on How to Avoid Auto Accidents Caused by Distracted Drivers

It’s not unusual for drivers to become distracted or even doze off on the road late at night. Boulder auto accident attorney firms know these scenarios all too well due to their regrettably frequent occurrence. There’s plenty of things drivers can do to avoid becoming distracted to begin with, such as:

• Turning off or putting away any mobile phones
• Not eating and driving simultaneously
• Not getting overly involved in any conversations with passengers

A QUICK TIP FOR AVOIDING DISTRACTED DRIVERS

There isn’t quite as much advice available to conscientious people who want to know how to protect themselves from other distracted drivers. However, a good starting point could be learning to recognize an obviously distracted or  impaired driver, particularly if they’re intoxicated with alcohol or cannabis.

SIMILARITIES AND DIFFERENCES BETWEEN IMPAIRED AND DISTRACTED DRIVERS

Not paying attention is the important thing to look for when identifying drivers who may be dangerous to drive near. A car that constantly switches back and forth between lanes or stops suddenly at red traffic lights and/or stop signs could be operated by either an impaired or a distracted driver, so you’ll want to keep a distance from them or pass them whenever you safely can.

Drivers who seem to be stuck in the far left lane for what feels like an eternity may be distracted by their mobile phones, since they often don’t think they’ll need to pay attention as much in this lane while using their phones. Some of these drivers can also be in a kind of road trance, where they lose focus on their driving and the road around them. In either case, you’ll want to try to create as much distance between your car and theirs as possible.

CHECKING THE STATS ON COLORADO AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENTS

It would be wonderful if distracted driving accidents were relatively uncommon occurrences, but unfortunately that’s not the case. Over 15,000 texting-related accidents were reported in the United States in 2015. Based on the findings of a Colorado Department of Transportation survey, 38% of all Colorado drivers have talked on their phones while driving, and 25% have texted while driving. These are frightening statistics. As a result, CDOT is planning to post road signs to alert Boulder drivers to the risks of auto accidents caused by distracted driving.