Distracted driving involves engaging in any activity that takes your attention away from the road.  In New Hampshire, texting while driving, adjusting a GPS or physically interacting with any handheld device are considered illegal distractions.  Novice drivers and those holding Commercial Drivers’ Licenses have additional restrictions and penalties.

While distracted driving is most commonly associated with texting and driving, there are other common distractions that cause accidents each day, including:

• Smoking – Lighting, smoking, or putting out a cigarette takes a driver’s eyes and focus away from the road.
• Moving Objects or Pets in the Car – Attempting to keep an object from moving on the floor or in a seat can cause serious distraction, as can tending to pets in the car.
• Eating or Drinking – These activities cause a driver to take a hand away from the wheel and their eyes away from the road.
• Cell Phone Use – Even hands-free devices can cause drivers to be distracted, as they are engaged in a conversation or listening to voicemail.

Distracted driving inevitably increases the chance of a motor vehicle accident.  According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, each day in the United States, approximately 9 people are killed and more than 1,000 injured in crashes reported to involve a distracted driver.

Regardless of the cause, distracted driving leads to devastating accidents, in addition to traffic citations, in New Hampshire. If a driver is guilty of distracted driving, he or she may be held liable for damages in a civil lawsuit for harm caused as a result of the reckless behavior.

If you have been injured in an accident resulting from someone else’s distracted driving, or if you have been accused of distracted driving yourself, legal representation is advisable. Wescott Law’s experienced attorneys Allison Ambrose, Kathrine Lacey and Sarah Rubury are here to help.