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“Sixth” Sense for Avoiding Accidents Fails when Drivers are Texting

Posted on behalf of Arnold Law Firm in
texting and driving cognitive skillsTexting while driving affects a driver’s visual, cognitive and manual abilities. A new study now suggests that a driver’s “sixth sense,” which can aid in adapting to difficult situations, is ineffective when a driver texts while behind the wheel. The brain keeps part of a driver’s attention on the road even while distracted by other stressors, like emotions or complex questions. However, this automatic coping mechanism fails when a driver begins to text. Researchers had 59 subjects complete driving tests in a simulator. Participants were allowed to become familiar with the simulator before researchers began asking complex and emotionally distressing questions. In another simulation, drivers were asked to send text messages. A final simulator had drivers react to mixed stressors. Researchers measured lane departures, as well as perspiration levels captured by sensors. In all simulations tested, stress impacted steering accuracy, but lane deviations became unsafe only when the drivers were texting. They noted that when drivers were under duress from mentally or emotionally challenging questions, the drivers still had their eyes forward and were steering somewhat straight. Corrections to compensate for mental and emotional distractions are largely due to a part of the brain called the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), which directs “fight or flight” energy to the muscles needed to handle the steering wheel. For the ACC perform these corrections, it must get support from the driver’s hand-eye coordination. When the hand-eye coordination loop breaks, as it does when a driver has one hand on their phone, the ACC fails to perform corrective actions. Texting distracts a driver visually, cognitively and manually, using a broad array of mental resources required for driving a vehicle — making it a particularly dangerous distraction. Although the study focuses on the dangers of texting and driving, researchers still recommend refraining from driving when angry, upset or otherwise distracted. If you have been hurt in a car accident caused by a distracted driver, contact a knowledgeable Sacramento auto accident attorney at the Arnold Law Firm. An injury lawyer from our firm can help you determine your legal options and how to proceed if you are eligible to file claim.

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Settlement - $3,767,000

Truck Accident

A 20-year-old man who had been married for just 12 days left home on his way to work. He was driving on Pleasant Grove Road in Sutter County in the early morning when he came upon a slow-moving truck. As he pulled out to pass the truck, the truck driver turned left in front of him. The young man attempted to steer back into his lane but his vehicle struck an un-flagged piece of metal extending from the back of the truck. He died in the resulting crash.

Expert witnesses brought in by the Arnold Law Firm proved that the truck, owned and operated by a hauling firm, should never have been on the highway that morning. Specifically, the rear and side turn signals did not work and the rear-view mirror was in a poor state of adjustment at the time of the collision. As a result, the driver, who had failed to properly inspect the vehicle before setting out that morning, couldn’t see the young man’s vehicle as it attempted to pass.

The poor condition of the truck, its lack of maintenance and the manner in which it was operated were found to be substantial factors in causing the collision that killed the young man. The testimony also established that the man had been making a lawful pass at the lawful speed limit and acted reasonably when he attempted to avoid the collision.

The man’s 20-year-old widow was awarded $3,767,000.77, his parents were awarded $185,131 and the family was reimbursed $11,899 in funeral expenses. Though money is a poor substitute for a young man’s life, this verdict demonstrates that drivers who endanger the lives of others will be held accountable for their actions.