Distracted driving has become an epidemic on Tennessee’s roadways. Although many people are aware of the dangers of distracted driving, they may not fully understand the enormous toll it takes on individuals, families, and the state as a whole. When you look beyond the obvious costs of injuries, deaths, and property damage from distracted driving crashes, the hidden costs are staggering.
In Tennessee, distracted driving leads to over 50,000 crashes each year. These crashes result in nearly 1,000 serious injuries and over 200 deaths per year. However, these direct costs are just the tip of the iceberg. There are many hidden costs that most people don’t consider.
Economic Costs
- Loss of productivity – When someone is injured or killed in a distracted driving crash, it represents an enormous loss of economic productivity for the state. Victims are no longer able to work and contribute to the economy. Their absence from the workforce results in lost economic output.
- Medical costs – Distracted driving crashes lead to over $1.1 billion per year in medical costs in Tennessee. These include emergency transport, hospitalization, surgeries, rehabilitation, home health care, and long-term care. Much of this burden falls on taxpayers through programs like Medicaid, Medicare, and disability services.
- Insurance costs – The prevalence of distracted driving crashes in Tennessee leads to higher premiums for all drivers. When insurance companies have to pay out more claims for injuries and property damage, they raise rates for everyone.
- Legal costs – Distracted driving cases lead to expensive litigation for both plaintiffs and defendants. Expert witness fees, crash reconstructions, investigative costs, court reporters, records requests, and attorneys rack up major expenses.
- Congestion – Crashes cause traffic jams and slowdowns that affect thousands of other motorists. Time spent stuck in traffic leads to lost economic productivity. Emergency personnel responding to crash scenes worsen congestion.
- Property damage – Vehicles, infrastructure like guardrails and signage, and private property are damaged or destroyed in distracted driving crashes. This leads to costs for repairs and replacement.
- Emergency services – Police, firefighters, paramedics, and EMTs devote substantial resources to responding to and clearing distracted driving crash scenes. This diverts them from other public safety needs.
- Government administrative costs – Court, healthcare, disability, and other systems have greater caseloads and administrative costs due to distracted driving crashes. This strains government budgets.
- Employer costs – Businesses suffer lost productivity when employees are injured or killed. They also lose productive time completing crash-related paperwork for insurance claims, workers compensation, and other needs.
Personal and Societal Costs
- Lost quality of life – Those injured in crashes often suffer reduced mobility, chronic pain, emotional trauma, loss of abilities, and a lower standard of living. They are unable to participate in activities they previously enjoyed.
- Grief – The families and friends of those killed or severely injured in distracted driving crashes experience profound, lasting grief and psychological trauma. Relationships suffer.
- Lower productivity – Distracted employees are less productive at work due to mental distraction. This costs Tennessee businesses substantially in lost profits. Workplace accidents may also increase.
- Poor health – Those injured in crashes may suffer lifelong health consequences like disability, arthritis, depression, weight gain, and addiction to pain medications.
- Higher insurance premiums – Even drivers with perfect records pay increased premiums to cover losses from distracted driving crashes. Low-risk drivers subsidize high-risk behaviors.
- Strain on the healthcare system – Distracted driving injuries increase wait times and healthcare expenses even for those not involved in crashes. This diminishes the quality of care for all Tennesseans.
- Reduced tourism revenue – Videos of gruesome Tennessee crashes on social media dissuade some tourists from visiting the state. This impacts hospitality and recreation businesses.
- Dangerous driving culture – Distracted driving breeds impatience, aggression, and disregard for the law. This makes roads more dangerous for everyone and diminishes quality of life.
- Lower quality of life – Tennesseans have less leisure time and financial stability due to the costs of distracted driving borne by individuals and society.
Proven Solutions
Fortunately, there are proven solutions that can reduce the appalling costs of distracted driving in Tennessee.
- Strengthen laws – Pass legislation to make distracted driving penalties stronger. Allow law enforcement to stop distracted drivers as a primary offense. Increase fines.
- Enforce laws – Conduct dedicated distracted driving enforcement campaigns. Use spotters on overpasses and unmarked patrol cars. Strictly enforce during high-risk times like the early morning commute.
- Education – Teach students of all ages about the dangers of distracted driving. Incorporate it into driver’s education courses. Share stories of real crash victims.
- Technology – Encourage and incentivize the adoption of apps and devices that block calls, texts and notifications while driving. Offer insurance discounts for using this technology.
- Advocacy – Support advocacy groups campaigning to curb distracted driving. Their outreach makes a real difference. Advocate for more corporate and government action.
- Traffic calming – Implement roadway design features that remind drivers to stay focused. Narrower lanes, rumble strips, traffic circles, and speed bumps help address the problem.
- Alternative transportation – Promote transportation options like public transit, carpooling, walking, and biking that reduce solo driving exposures.
- Safety culture – Work with employers to establish cell phone free policies for on-the-job drivers. Lead by example at the executive level.
- Research – Fund further research by universities and agencies into distracted driving behaviors. Use findings to shape effective interventions.
- Media campaigns – Utilize social media, YouTube influencers, radio, and billboards to reach drivers emotionally. Share real stories of loss caused by distracted driving.
Tennessee has already implemented some of these solutions, but more work remains at both state and local levels. The economic, personal, and societal toll of distracted driving is too enormous to ignore. But by working together, we can create change and prevent these senseless costs.
If you or a loved one have been injured in a distracted driving crash, contact the personal injury attorneys at Monge & Associates for a free consultation by calling (888) 477-0597. With 32 offices in 19 states, including Tennessee, Pennsylvania, and Iowa, our experienced legal team can help recover damages and hold negligent drivers accountable. Don’t bear the costs of distracted driving alone. Let us help you obtain the compensation you deserve while making our roads safer for everyone.