Using Headphones While Driving – Houston Car Accident Attorney

By Attorney Reshard Alexander on October 11, 2019 • ( Leave a comment )

Using Headphones While Driving – Houston Car Accident Attorney

Despite knowing the dangers of using phones, headphones, and texting, more people on the roads are indulging in using these enticing gadgets while driving.

Call (713) 766-3322 – Big Rig Bull Texas Truck Accident Lawyer Reshard Alexander can evaluate your claim for free and help you get the compensation you deserve!

Technology, over the years, has enhanced the music-listening experience for everyone. Right from the invention of the first personal music system – the walkman – down to exciting features available in today’s smartphones, subscription to music applications, on-demand streaming music, technological advancements in the quality of music and sound delivered via noise-canceling headphones, custom-fitted earbuds, advanced quality sound systems in vehicles and many other such sound experience-enhancing equipment, music has become an integral part of life.

Dangers of using headphones on the road – Houston Car Accident Attorney

Using headphones or earbuds while on the road increases the risks of accidents as the users cannot hear a vehicle or the honking from a vehicle. Moreover, headphone usage also increases the probability of people becoming easy crime Victims. Our Houston auto accident attorney explains that usage of headphones to listen to music reduces an individual’s ability to be aware of their surroundings, hear, or detect any activity or motion around them.

Rise in deaths and injuries due to headphones – Houston Car Accident Lawyer

The number of subscriptions for paid music services has risen from eight million in 2010 to an unbelievable 41 million in 2014, a huge rise in just four years. While the numbers are great for music companies and music lovers all around, there is a growing concern with respect to the increase in death rates due to on-road accidents. A report published in the journal Injury Prevention by the University of Maryland, School of Medicine and the University of Maryland Medical Center in Baltimore, found that between 2004 and 2011, there were about 116 deaths reported of pedestrians wearing headphones.

Top Houston Car Accident Lawyer Reshard Alexander helps injury victims receive the care and compensation they deserve. Call today for a free consultation.

In addition, the report found that since 2004 the trend in accidents, deaths, and injuries caused due to the use of headphones while driving, has been consistently increasing. Between the years 2004-2005, there were 16 deaths due to the use of headphones on the road, and by 2010-2011 the number had increased to 47. The lead author of the report, Dr. Richard Lichenstein attributed these accidents to inattentional blindness. According to the research team, multi-tasking divides the brain’s mental resource allocation to multiple stimuli, whereas the brain has limited resources to process incoming stimuli.

Moreover, despite knowing the dangers of the use of phones, headphones, and texting, more people on the roads are indulging in using these enticing gadgets while driving or while on the road. Further research found alarming data. According to the statistics:

About 68% of the victims were males
About 67% of the victims were below the age of 30 years
90 % of these accidents took place in large cities
70 % of these accidents were fatal
55 % of these incidents involved trains
In about 29 % of these accidents, a warning sound was issued before the accident took place

Regulations for the usage of headphones – Houston Car Accident Attorney

Very few states like Alaska, Colorado, California, Florida, Illinois, Georgia, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New York, Oregon, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Washington and Virginia have regulations in place that to some extent, restrict the usage of headphones while driving, while some permit use of earbuds in only one ear. About 33 states in the US have no regulations or laws restricting the use of Headphones while driving. While it is not currently illegal in the state of Texas, it is strongly discouraged.

Victims of accidents caused due to the negligent use of headphones while driving should speak with an experienced Houston car accident lawyer Reshard Alexander.