In many cities across Arizona and throughout the country, high school and college students are enjoying Spring Break. This means communities may see a lot more young drivers on the road – drivers who may be more concerned with their vacations, parties, and plans than roadway safety. In fact, a recent study from the University of Miami suggests that Spring Break does see an increase in Phoenix car accidents and traffic deaths and that the cause may very well be an increase in distracted driving.
- Researchers compared traffic crash data in some of the country’s most popular tourist destinations with national statistics. Across 14 Spring Break hotspots, they noted a 9 percent increase in traffic fatalities.
- Drunk and impaired driving was not a significantly common cause of crashes during Spring Break, a finding that surprised researchers.
- Researchers suggested that distracted driving – including using cell phones and talking to passengers – was likely a common reason for the increase in Spring Break accidents and deaths. They also contributed the spike to an increase in out-of-town drivers and younger, inexperienced motorists who are more likely to be distracted behind the wheel.
Arizona is home to many college campuses and is a popular destination for Spring Breakers. As such, our firm reminds everyone to stay safe this Spring Break whenever you venture onto public roads and highways. Coincidentally, April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month, and that gives us a great opportunity to reflect on how dangerous driver distraction really is and why it’s so important to focus on the primary task of driving.
At Suzuki Law Offices, our Phoenix personal injury lawyers have helped numerous victims and families put their lives back together after auto accidents, including accidents caused by distracted drivers. If you have questions about your legal rights following a car accident and how our team can help hold negligent drivers accountable for your damages, reach out to our team today.
Call or text (602) 682-5270 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form