Distracted driving has been a major area of focus for safety experts over the last decade or so. Much of it is tied to smartphones. The first iPhone came out in 2007, and, while there were smartphones before that, this is the one that hit big and changed the market. Now, more than a decade later, it seems like everyone has a smartphone. 

The problem is that these phones provide a nearly endless string of distractions. Drivers will browse social media, send and receive text messages, watch videos, make phone calls, take pictures and use all sorts of apps. People have crashed while doing something as seemingly useful as updating the GPS and as frivolous as watching a movie. 

But would banning smartphones put an end to distracted driving? 

There are many other distractions for drivers than phones

Smartphones are not going to get banned overall — even when it’s illegal to use them while driving — but even completely eliminating the technology would not eliminate driving distractions. They’re older than the phone. 

Other examples of driving distractions include listening to music, adjusting the mirrors, changing the radio station and talking to children or passengers. Even eating a sandwich or drinking a cup of coffee can cause an accident. These issues all existed before smartphones and will persist long after them. 

You must know your rights after a catastrophic crash

If distracted driving will never end, then there will always be serious car accidents caused by it. If you get injured in an accident caused by one of these distracted drivers, you must know what legal rights you have.