Atlanta Car Accident Attorney Gary Martin Hays Comments on Report about Texting and Driving Crash Risks

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We have handled many difficult cases involving distracted driving and have seen the devastating impact of accidents caused by drivers who were more focused on their smart phones than on the road.

Atlanta, GA (PRWEB) February 14, 2014

Commenting on a study that finds texting, dialing, or reaching for a cell phone increases crash risks for drivers, Atlanta car accident attorney Gary Martin Hays of the Law Offices of Gary Martin Hays & Associates, P.C., said today that a combination of strict law enforcement and educational efforts are key in preventing cellphone-related accidents. The study also examined cellphone behavior among different ages of drivers.

CBS Detroit (“Study: Texting While Driving Raises Crash Risk, But Talking on Phone Doesn’t,” Jan. 4) reported that the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute study analyzed the real-life driving habits of more than 150 drivers to determine the behaviors that leave drivers at highest risk of accident.

“Distracted driving poses serious risks to all who use the roads in Georgia,” Hays said. “We have handled many difficult cases involving distracted driving and have seen the devastating impact of accidents caused by drivers who were more focused on their smart phones than on the road. We hope this study, and previous ones, will help change attitudes about distracted driving.”

According to CBS Detroit, the study used video camera, GPS devices, lane trackers, and gadgets that measure speed and acceleration to study the driving habits of 42 newly licensed drivers and 109 adults. The study found that newly licensed drivers aged 16-18 faced dramatically higher accident risks when dialing, reaching for a phone, or texting, the article said.

CBS Detroit also said that the study measured other distractions as well, such as staring at an object outside the window, reaching for something other than a phone, or eating while driving. These distractions were also found to increase accident risk among the drivers who participated in the study, according to the report.

Georgia state law prohibits the use of cell phones for drivers under 18 years old and bans texting while driving for all motorists.

“Texting and driving is a serious form of driver distraction that could have devastating consequences,” Hays said. “If you or a loved one was injured or a loved one was killed in a distracted driver, you should seek the advice of legal counsel. An attorney can help pursue compensation and hold the negligent individual accountable.”

About The Law Offices of Gary Martin Hays & Associates

Gary Martin Hays is not only a successful lawyer, but is a nationally recognized safety advocate who works tirelessly to educate our families and children on issues ranging from bullying to internet safety to abduction prevention. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Elizabeth Smart Foundation. Gary has been seen on countless television stations, including CNN Headline News, ABC, CBS, NBC and FOX and has been quoted in USA Today, The Wall Street Journal, and featured on over 250 online sites.

Gary is the author of the #1 best-selling book on Amazon “The Authority on Personal Injury Claims in Georgia.”

His legal accomplishments include being a member of the prestigious Multi-Million Dollar Advocate’s Forum, a society limited to those attorneys who have received a settlement or verdict of at least $2 million. He has been recognized in Atlanta Magazine as one of Georgia’s top workers’ compensation lawyers. His firm specializes in personal injury, wrongful death, workers’ compensation, and social security disability claims. Since 1993, his firm has helped over 31,000 victims and their families recover over $250 million.

In 2008, Gary started the nonprofit organization Keep Georgia Safe with the mission to provide safety education and crime prevention training in Georgia.

His website addresses are http://www.GaryMartinHays.com and http://www.KeepGeorgiaSafe.org.

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